Missense polymorphisms in the MC1R gene of the dog,red fox,arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog

Coat colour variation is determined by many genes, one of which is the melanocortin receptor type 1 (MC1R) gene. In this study, we examined the whole coding sequence of this gene in four species belonging to the Canidae family (dog, red fox, arctic fox and Chinese raccoon dog). Although the comparative analysis of the obtained nucleotide sequences revealed a high conservation, which varied between 97.9 and 99.1%, we altogether identified 22 SNPs (10 in dogs, six in farmed red foxes, two in wild red foxes, three in arctic foxes and one in Chinese raccoon dog). Among them, seven appeared to be novel: one silent in the dog, three missense and one silent in the red fox, one in the 3′‐flanking region in the arctic fox and one silent in the Chinese raccoon dog. In dogs and red foxes, the SNPs segregated as 10 and four haplotypes, respectively. Taking into consideration the published reports and results of this study, the highest number of missense polymorphisms was until now found in the dog (9) and red fox (7).     

An epidemic of sylvatic rabies in Finland--descriptive epidemiology and results of oral vaccination.

When rabies reappeared in Finland in April 1988, the country had been rabies free since 1959. Soon a picture of sylvatic rabies become evident, its main vector and victim being the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). Between 8 April 1988 and 16 February 1989, 66 virologically verified cases were recorded (48 raccoon dogs, 12 red foxes, 2 badgers, 2 cats, 1 dog and 1 dairy bull) in an area estimated at 1700 km2 in south-eastern Finland. The greatest distance between recorded cases was 67 km. A positive reaction with monoclonal antibody p-41 indicated that the virus was an arctic-type strain. A field trial on oral immunization of small predators was initiated in September 1988 using Tübingen fox baits according to the Bavarian model of bait distribution. Each bait contained 5*10(7) TCID50/ml modified live rabies virus (SAD-B19). The 6 months' surveillance indicate a seroconversion rate of 72% (N = 126) in the raccoon dog population, 67% (N = 56) in the red foxes and 13% (N = 16) in the badgers, when titers greater than or equal to 1.0 IU/ml are considered seropositive. In the whole follow-up period, no statistically significant difference could be detected between the raccoon dogs and red foxes in the rate of seroconversion or in the uptake of tetracycline from the baits. Notably high antibody levels were recorded in both raccoon dogs and red foxes within 4-5 months after vaccination. Of the seropositive animals, the proportion of animals with titers 3.0 IU/ml or greater was higher in raccoon dogs (73%) than in red foxes (51%) (x2 = 5.29, p less than 0.05). The trial shows that raccoon dogs can be immunized against rabies in the field with vaccine baits originally developed for controlling sylvatic rabies in foxes.     

Characterization of biological and antigenic properties of raccoon dog and blue fox parvoviruses: a monoclonal antibody study

Parvovirus isolates from blue foxes and raccoon dogs were characterized by studying their haemagglutination properties, host range in vitro and antigenic structure. In all 3 characters, raccoon dog parvovirus resembled canine parvovirus (CPV), while blue fox parvovirus was similar to mink enteritis virus (MEV). Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were prepared against both viruses. Raccoon dog parvovirus, while resembling CPV, had a unique antigenic site which could be specified by MAbs. The pattern of MAbs prepared against blue fox parvovirus indicated that it is a member of Type 2 MEV.     

Effect of dietary glycine and benzoate level on benzoate metabolism in mink (Mustela vision), blue fox (Alopex lagopus), and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)

Three 2 x 4 factorial experiments were carried out from August to September with 30 juvenile male mink, 24 raccoon dogs, and 24 blue foxes to investigate the effect of dietary glycine supply (low or high) on the efficiency of these species to excrete hippuric acid with incremental benzoate intake (0, 1, 2, or 4 mmol/kg BW). For mink, two additional treatments with 1 or 2 mmol/kg BW of ethyl benzoate were included. A basal low-glycine diet was formulated to meet the minimum protein requirements of fur animals (30% of ME). This diet was supplemented with 0 or 3 g/kg of glycine, or with 0, 1.0, 2.07, or 4.15 g/kg of sodium benzoate for mink and blue foxes, and with 0 or 4.5 g/kg of glycine and 0, 1.58, 3.17, or 6.34 g/kg of sodium benzoate for raccoon dogs, respectively. Two additional diets with .76 or 1.53 g/kg of ethyl benzoate were made for mink. Fecal and urinary benzoic and hippuric acid excretion were measured for 3 d. The 24-h recovery of [14C]benzoic acid injected intraperitoneally was measured from urine, the liver, and the kidneys. All animals appeared healthy and no clinical signs of benzoate overdose were observed. Dietary benzoate level did not affect ADFI or ADG in any species. Glycine supplementation lowered ADFI in mink. The majority of ingested benzoates were absorbed from the gut (over 95%), except in blue foxes, which excreted 6 to 15% of ingested benzoates in feces with incremental increases in benzoate intake. Urinary free benzoic acid excretion accounted for 10% of the ingested benzoates in blue foxes but less than 5% in mink and raccoon dogs. When benzoate intake was 1 mmol/kg BW, mink, blue foxes, and raccoon dogs excreted 71, 77, and 34% of ingested benzoates as hippuric acid in urine, respectively. With higher benzoate intakes, urinary hippuric acid excretion decreased quadratically with mink to 20%, and linearly with blue foxes and raccoon dogs to 45 and 16%, respectively. The hippuric acid pathway appears to be the principal route of benzoate elimination in the mink and blue fox, whereas, in the raccoon dog, other pathways appear to be more important. In mink, the elimination of ethyl benzoate did not differ from that of sodium benzoate. Because glycine conjugation is the primary route of benzoate elimination, it is recommended that benzoate content in fur animal feeds should not exceed 1 g/kg feed on an as-fed basis.     

Epizootiological investigations of canine distemper virus in free-ranging carnivores from Germany

Canine distemper virus (CDV) infects a broad range of carnivores. To assess whether wild carnivores may play a role in the epidemiology of CDV in domestic dogs in Germany, the seroprevalence of CDV was determined. In sera from red foxes (30 of 591 (5%)) and stone martens (2 of 10 (20%)) antiviral antibodies were detected using a neutralization assay, whereas sera of raccoons, two mink, one pine marten and one raccoon dog were negative. In foxes, there was a significantly higher prevalence in urban and suburban compared to rural regions. When testing lung and spleen tissue samples (fox, badger, stone marten, polecat, raccoon dog) 13 of 253 (5.1%) foxes, 2 of 13 (15.4%) stone martens and 2 of 6 (33%) badgers were virus positive using RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the F gene revealed a distinct relatedness to canine CDV isolates. Together, the data support the concept of transmission of CDV between domestic dogs and wild carnivores.     

貉细小病毒分离鉴定及其VP2基因序列分析

本研究从山东省某貉养殖场发病貉粪便样品中分离到一株貉细小病毒(raccoon dog parvovirus,RDPV)。为了解该毒株的特性及其致病特点,对发病貉粪便处理后接种F81细胞,收获病毒液进行VP2基因序列分析、理化特性研究以及貉人工感染试验。结果显示:该分离株与RDPV参考株核苷酸同源性高达99.4%,属于犬细小病毒2型(CPV-2);对氯仿等不敏感,耐酸耐热,符合细小病毒特征;分离毒株对貉具有较强的致病力。结果表明,山东省仍存在RDPV流行且致病性有增强风险,须针对性研发RDPV疫苗,加强对RDPV流行的控制。本试验为RDPV流行病学研究提供了数据支持。     

A survey of canine echinococcosis in Gobi Altai Province of Mongolia by coproantigen detection

Few studies have been carried out for the prevalence of canine echinococcosis in Mongolia. This study was designed to elucidate a preliminary information of the prevalence from feces collected in the field. Sixty-seven fecal samples from dogs and 2 red foxes in Altai town were collected and examined for Echinococcus coproantigen and eggs. Coproantigen detection was performed by a sandwich ELISA using a monoclonal antibody EmA9 raised against Echinococcus multilocularis somatic antigen. Of the dog samples examined, 17 (25.4%) were positive by the ELISA. One out of two foxes was positive, too. Taeniid egg-positive feces were recognized in 12 dog feces. Only 6 samples were both coproantigen and egg positive. Eggs of Ancylostoma sp., Trichuris sp.; and Capillaria sp.; were also registered.     

Raccoon dog rabies surveillance and post-vaccination monitoring in Lithuania 2006 to 2010

Background

Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) in rabies infected regions should target the primary rabies vector species, which in Lithuania includes raccoon dogs as well as red foxes. Specific investigations on ORV in raccoon dogs are needed e.g. evaluation of vaccine effectiveness under field conditions. The objective of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of the ORV programme 2006-2010 in Lithuania by examining the number of rabies cases and estimating the prevalences of a tetracycline biomarker (TTC) and rabies virus antibodies in raccoon dogs.

Methods

From 2006 to 2010, 12.5 million rabies vaccine-baits were distributed by aircraft. Baiting occurred twice per year (spring and autumn), targeting raccoon dogs and red foxes in a 63,000 km² area of Lithuania. The mandibles of raccoon dogs found dead or killed in the vaccination area were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy for the presence of the TTC. Rabies virus sera neutralizing anti-glycoprotein antibody titres were determined using an indirect ELISA method and seroconversion (> 0.5 EU/ml) rates were estimated.

Results

During the study period, 51.5% of raccoon dog mandibles were positive for TTC. 1688 of 3260 tested adults and 69 of 175 tested cubs were TTC positive. Forty-seven percent of raccoon dog serum samples were positive for rabies virus antibodies. 302 of 621 investigated adults and 33 of 95 investigated cubs were seropositive. In the same time 302 of 684 and 43 of 124 tested samples were TTC and ELISA positive in spring; whereas 1455 of 2751 and 292 of 592 tested samples were TTC and ELISA positive in autumn. There was a positive correlation between the number of TTC and antibody positive animals for both adult and cub groups.

Conclusions

ORV was effective in reducing the prevalence of rabies in the raccoon dog population in Lithuania. The prevalence of rabies cases in raccoon dogs in Lithuania decreased from 60.7% in 2006-2007 to 6.5% in 2009-2010.     

RT-PCR检测犬粪便中的冠状病毒

根据犬冠状病毒(caninecoronavirus, CCV) 的S基因序列, 用计算机设计并合成了1对引物P1、P2, 以此引物及以从美国进口的CCV疫苗的反转录产物为模板, 初步建立了检测CCV的RT PCR。将纯化的PCR产物成功地克隆到pGEM T easy载体中, 鉴定、测序并进行同源性分析。结果表明, 与1 71和UCD 1株同源性分别为91 5%和94 3%。该RT PCR能对疫苗中CCV及CCV参考株USCV B1的S基因进行特异性地扩增,长度为575bp, 对犬的其他病毒及CRFK细胞未能扩增出任何片段, 该RT PCR能检测出0 5μLCCV培养液/2g粪便。用建立的RT PCR在上海对50条犬粪便进行检测, 结果表明CCV阳性6例。本研究建立了检测犬粪便中的CCV的RT PCR, 能用于犬冠状病毒流行病学调查。     

Epizootiological survey of Trichinella spp. infection in carnivores, rodents and insectivores in Hokkaido, Japan

In order to evaluate the present epidemiological situation of Trichinella infection in wild animals in Hokkaido, Japan, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) , brown bears (Ursus arctos) , martens (Martes melampus), rodents and insectivores captured in Hokkaido were examined for muscle larvae by the artificial digestion method from 2000 to 2006. Foxes (44/319, 13.8%), raccoon dogs (6/77, 7.8%) and brown bears (4/126, 3.2%) were found to be infected with Trichinella larvae and all other animal species evaluated were negative. Multiplex PCR and DNA sequencing revealed that larvae from a fox captured in Otofuke, in south-eastern Hokkaido, were T. nativa, and larvae from 27 animals including 21 foxes, 2 raccoon dogs and 4 brown bears captured in western Hokkaido were Trichinella T9.     

Distemper vaccination of farmed fur animals in Finland

The most important farmed fur animal species in Finland are the American mink (Mustela vison), blue fox (Alopex lagopus), silver fox (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides); all are susceptible to canine distemper. The only distemper vaccines currently available are for mink, although they also have been used for fox and raccoon dogs in emergency situations. The efficacy in eliciting neutralizing antibodies and the safety of three mink-distemper vaccines were studied under field conditions with mink and silver fox. Two of the vaccines were also studied with raccoon dogs and blue fox. All three vaccines elicited a satisfactory antibody response in mink, whereas the response varied in the other species. No side effects were observed in any species tested. One of the vaccines was safe and immunogenic in all four species.     

Comparative immunogenicity and efficacy studies with oral rabies virus vaccine SAD P5/88 in raccoon dogs and red foxes.

A comparative study of immunogenicity and efficacy of the oral rabies virus vaccine SAD P5/88 in raccoon dogs and foxes was conducted. The raccoon dogs received 10(6.9) (n = 6), 10(6.3) (n = 6) or 10(5.7) FFU SAD P5/88 (n = 5) by direct oral application, and subsequently all animals seroconverted. The foxes received 10(7.2) (n = 4), 10(6.2) (n = 4), 10(5.2) (n = 4) and 10(4.2) FFU SAD P5/88 (n = 5) by the same route. On days 106 and 196 post vaccination 10 raccoon dogs and 16 foxes were challenged with a relevant street virus, respectively. All 10 raccoon dogs vaccinated with 10(6.3) (n = 5) or 10(5.7) FFU SAD P5/88 (n = 5) survived the challenge, whereas all control animals (n = 5) died of rabies. Two foxes vaccinated with 10(4.2) FFU and one fox vaccinated with 10(5.2) FFU died of rabies on day 7, 17 and 12 post infection, respectively. Also all control foxes succumbed to rabies. Our findings demonstrate that SAD P5/88 is not only an effective vaccine for oral vaccination of foxes but also for that of raccoon dogs.     

Phylogenetic identification of Cystoisospora spp. from dogs, cats, and raccoon dogs in Japan

Cystoisospora spp. from feces in dogs, cats, and raccoon dogs were isolated, sequenced at the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene locus and compared to other Cystoisospora spp. Cystoisospora oocysts from dogs and raccoon dogs were morphologically similar with those of C. ohioensis, and cat isolates were similar with those of C. felis. The sequences from dogs and raccoon dogs, and cats have a homology with C. ohioensis and C. felis, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequences showed that the dog and raccoon dog isolates were nested in a clade with other Cystoisospora spp. including C. ohioensis, C. belli, and C. orlovi. The cat isolate formed a sister group with C. felis that was a separate clade from the dog and raccoon dog group. We report sequence variation in these Cystoisospora sequences and have identified raccoon dogs as another carnivore host for Cystoisospora spp. infecting dogs.     

Parasitological survey on wild carnivora in north-western Tohoku, Japan.

In the winter of 1997-1998, we collected parasitological data from 60 wild carnivora in the north-western part of Tohoku region, Japan. These included 7 foxes (Vulpes vulpes japonica), 20 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus), 29 martens (Martes melampus melampus), 3 weasels (two Mustela sibirica itatsi and one M. nivalis namiyei), and one Japanese badger (Meles meles anakuma). Roundworms (Toxocara canis in foxes and Toxocara tanuki in raccoon dogs), hookworms (Ancylostoma kusimaense and Arthrostoma miyazakiense) and Molineus sp. in the small intestine were the most prevalent in foxes and raccoon dogs. In martens, Aonchotheca putorii in the stomach, Concinnum ten in the pancreatic duct, Molineus sp. and Euryhelmis costaricensis in the small intestine were the most prevalent. Collected parasites include some new helminth species for this region or Japan; the strobilar stage of Taenia polyacantha from foxes, Pygidliopsis summa from a raccoon dog, Eucoleus aerophilus, A. putorii, and Soholiphyme baturini from martens.     

青海地区野生狐狸棘球绦虫感染情况调查研究

野生狐狸是棘球绦虫的主要终末宿主,在棘球蚴病的传播中有重要作用。为了解青海省狐狸中棘球绦虫感染状况,我们用棘球绦虫粪抗原检测试剂盒,对收集于青海省称多县、贵南县、祁连县的野生狐狸粪便进行了检测。结果表明,称多县收集的129份狐狸粪便阳性15份,阳性率11.6%;祁连县收集的84份狐狸粪便阳性3份,阳性率3.6%;贵南县收集的47份狐狸粪便阳性0份。共收集的260份狐狸粪便中阳性18份,平均阳性率7.5%。青海省野生狐狸中有棘球绦虫感染,在棘球蚴防治中应加强野生终末宿主的防治。     

北极狐及乌苏里貉抑制素α亚基基因克隆及生物信息学分析

试验旨在克隆北极狐及乌苏里貉抑制素α（inhibin α,INHα）亚基基因并对其进行生物信息学分析。根据GenBank中犬科INHα预测mRNA序列（登录号：XM_545660.5）设计1对引物,用RT-PCR技术从北极狐及乌苏里貉的卵巢组织中扩增出INHα亚基基因,同时将其插入到克隆载体中,进行测序及生物信息学分析。测序结果表明,北极狐及乌苏里貉的INHα亚基基因CDS序列全长为1 107 bp,编码369个氨基酸。北极狐及乌苏里貉的INHα亚基基因与犬的同源性最高,分别为97.9%与97.6%。系统进化树分析表明,北极狐及乌苏里貉与犬亲缘关系较近,同时也说明INHα亚基基因在不同物种及进化过程中具有高度保守性。对INHα亚基蛋白的高级结构预测发现,由于半胱氨酸间形成的二硫键导致其采用"蝴蝶形"或"开放手"构型,其中α-螺旋形成分子的"手腕"结构,β-折叠形成分子的"手指"结构。本研究成功克隆了北极狐及乌苏里貉的INHα亚基基因,同时进行了系统的生物信息学分析,为今后研究抑制素在卵母细胞-颗粒细胞同步发育过程中的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

犬冠状病毒YS1株人工感染犬试验

使用从腹泻犬体内分离获得的犬冠状病毒ＹＳ１第５代ＣＲＦＫ细胞培养物,以不同剂量人工感染５０只２￣３月龄健康幼犬 ,１４ｄ内计有１６只犬发病,其中１４只耐过,２只死亡,发病率为３２％,死亡率为１２．５％,患犬粪便经电镜检查和ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ检测,前者见有ＣＣＶ样病毒,后者扩增出ＣＣＶ特异核酸片段。４８只试验犬血清对该病毒的ＳＮ抗体效价随接毒量的不同分别平均为１：３１０、１：２４５、１：１８５、１：１１５     

Phylogenetic characterization of rabies virus isolates from Carnivora in Brazil

The incidence of canine rabies has been widely reported in Brazil, and new rabies virus (RV) variants, genetically similar to canine RV, have recently been isolated from foxes. In order to derive the epidemiological characteristics of Brazilian Carnivora RV, Brazilian RVs isolated from dogs, cats, and foxes were genetically analyzed. Brazilian Carnivora RV isolates were divided into 2 main lineages. The predominant lineage was found in dogs and cats, which included the Argentinean and Bolivian Carnivora RV isolates, and was extensively distributed throughout Brazil and surrounding countries. The other lineage consisted of three sublineages containing Brazilian dog and fox RV isolates, with the dog sublineages located on an internal branch of 2 fox sublineages, suggesting that RV transmission events might have occurred between foxes and dogs in the past. These results suggest that contact between dogs and wildlife has the potential to generate new rabies variants and that it is important to control RV infection cycles in both dogs and wildlife to prevent spread of rabies infection.     

貉肠道寄生虫感染情况调查

为了解貉肠道寄生虫感染情况,采用卢戈氏碘液染色法、饱和蔗糖溶液漂浮法和改良抗酸染色法对南阳地区某特种动物养殖场笼养貉的232份新鲜粪便进行检查,结果显示：75份样品呈阳性,总感染率为30.17%,其中贾第虫感染率为6.47%,隐孢子虫为0.86%,球虫为5.17%,圆线虫为15.95%,钩虫为3.88%。本次调查结果为预防和临床治疗貉肠道寄生虫病提供了参考和依据。     

北极狐和貉毛纤维显微结构的研究

为了区别北极狐和貉毛皮，采用哈氏切片法快速制取北极狐、南貉和北貉皮毛纤维横切片进行毛纤维组织结构观察。观察发现，貉毛皮的绒毛鳞片翘角大，呈刺状伸出毛干外，鳞片高度大；而北极狐绒毛的鳞片紧贴毛干，呈环形排列。因此，对于北极狐皮和貉皮的鉴别可通过其毛纤维的显微结构进行区分。