Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. Cats have been reported to be infected with and shed the bacteria in urine. However, importance of cats as an infection source for humans remains unclear. In this study, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, where leptospirosis endemic, was investigated leptospiral antibody DNA detection using microscopic agglutination test nested PCR, respectively. Moreover, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) whole genome sequencing (WGS) were conducted...

To clarify the molecular epidemiology of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Okinawa Prefecture, located a subtropical region Japan, we performed genetic analysis F gene HMPV from patients with acute respiratory infection January 2009 to December 2011. was detected 18 485 throat swabs (3.7%). Phylogenetic showed that 17 strains belonged subgroup A2 and 1 strain B1. We did not observe seasonal prevalence during investigation period. A high level sequence identity observed belonging (>95%), no...

Toxoplasma gondii from pigs in Okinawa Prefecture was characterized by nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequence analysis of the dense granule antigen GRA6 gene. By PCR, parasite detected 33 out 91 lymph node samples with lesions similar to those found toxoplasmosis that had been collected at an abattoir. RFLP MseI successfully conducted 29 PCR-positive group isolates into one three genotypes T. gondii. Genotyping studied rendered following results: 13 type...

Toxoplasma gondii genotypes were isolated and characterized from cephalic muscle samples collected 24 goats slaughtered at an abattoir in Okinawa between 2008 2009. Of the assayed using latex agglutination, 18 seropositive, 2 pseudo-positive, 4 seronegative against T. antibodies. The then inoculated into laboratory mice to isolate parasite. Among samples, 13 (72.2% of seropositive strains agglutination assay) 1 (50%) was none seronegative. However, after being frozen stored −20ºC, all found...

SUMMARY We previously revealed that Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) seroprevalence was 4·5% in pigs on Ishigaki Island from 2005 to 2007. However, a partial E gene sequence (151 bp) of the JEV genome (JEV/sw/Ishigaki/1/2005) detected one pig. Phylogenetic analysis showed JEV/sw/Ishigaki/1/2005 belonged genotype III and same lineages isolated Taiwan 2006 2008. Serum samples were collected 128 2009 2010, 24 wild boars 2008 117 Iriomote 2010. Four (3·1%) positive for antibody, but all island...

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide. The GRA7 T. gondii (TgGRA7) an essential component parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and PV membrane surrounding tachyzoites cyst wall bradyzoites. While it has been widely employed as antigen for ELISA, there only study that reported its potential immunochromatographic test (ICT) in pigs. There no yet documenting ICT serodiagnosis infection cats. In this study, we assessed efficacy using TgGRA7...

The Okinawa prefecture confirmed 142 cases of coronavirus disease from February 14 to May 2020. Among them, 78 were the first a household with 174 contacts. Of contacts, 21 contracted disease, indicating secondary attack rate 12.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.6-17.9%). No significant differences observed in demographics and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test results between that became sources infection members. rates respect various characteristics members...

Leptospirosis is considered underdiagnosed because of its nonspecific presentation and lack proper understanding epidemiology. Early diagnosis treatment are crucial. However, few data available on confirmed leptospirosis cases in children industrialized countries. We therefore aimed to describe epidemiologic clinical characteristics laboratory-confirmed childhood Okinawa, Japan. reviewed the national surveillance pediatric Japan from January 2003 through December 2015. The database included...

A large acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) outbreak occurred in 2011 Okinawa Prefecture Japan. Ten strains of coxsackievirus group type 24 variant (CA24v) were isolated from patients with AHC and full sequence analysis the VP3, VP1, 3C(pro) 3D(pol) coding regions performed. To assess time-scale evolution, phylogenetic was performed using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method. In addition, similarity plots constructed pairwise distance (p-distance) positive pressure analyses tree based...

Leptospirosis is considered an endemic disease among agricultural workers in Okinawa Prefecture, which the southernmost part of Japan and has a subtropical climate, but data on current status trend this are scarce. We conducted retrospective study clinically suspected leptospirosis patients whose sample information were sent to Prefectural Institute Health Environment from November 2003 December 2020. Laboratory diagnosis was established using culture, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR),...

Abstract This study aimed to reveal the prevalence of heat‐labile enterotoxin (LT) gene‐positive Escherichia fergusonii in retail chicken meat and genetically characterize these strains. E. harboring LT gene was isolated from 6 out 60 (10%) samples Okinawa, Japan. Whole‐genome sequencing analysis revealed that feces contain an IncFII plasmid elt1AB , suggested spread clonally through fecal contamination. Additionally, it found strains harbor multidrug‐resistant genes on their plasmids. Their...

Toxoplasma gondii is classified into 16 haplogroups based on a worldwide genotyping study of the parasite. However, only few isolates from Japan were included in this analysis. To conduct more precise T. gondii, we examined genotypes Japanese study. DNA sequences 6 loci determined 17 and compared with those strains haplogroups. As result, four groups. We investigated virulence some found highly virulent strain mice, comparable to that RH strain, although isolate was sister haplogroup 2,...

To determine the prevalence of 3 primary clonal lineages Toxoplasma gondii (strain types I, II, and III) in pigs Okinawa Prefecture, we analyzed lymph node samples that had been collected at an abattoir by PCR analysis using primers specific for SAG2 locus. This study revealed presence this parasite 57 out 101 examined. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) PCR-amplified products was used to group strains into one three genotypes T. gondii. Genotypes I II were equally predominant,...

In 2012, Escherichia fergusonii harboring a heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) was isolated from healthy chickens in South Korea. However, little is known regarding the prevalence, spread, and pathogenicity of these strains humans animals. This study aimed to understand public health threats, such as distribution, antimicrobial resistance, genetic diversity E. carrying LTs. containing LT 15.0% (52/346) chicken fecal samples all three tested farms but not 360 pig samples. The susceptibility testing...

Although major mumps epidemics occurred every 4–5 years in Okinawa Prefecture Japan, no laboratory diagnoses were conducted. A epidemic started October 2014, and we collected clinical samples from 31 patients 4 areas (Hokubu, Nanbu, Miyako, Yaeyama) July to December 2015, for virus isolation RT-PCR, whose positive ratios 52% 87%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all isolates classified into genotype G, with one exception, consisted of 2 subgenotypes, Ge (55.6%) Gw (40.7%),...

Cats are an important host of Toxoplasma gondii from epidemiological perspective because they the only definitive hosts that excrete oocysts in their feces. In this study, 201 free-ranging cats Okinawa were examined for T. infection. Using latex agglutination test, we detected antibodies against 26.9% (54/201) cats. Oocysts not upon microscopic examination feces 128 was isolated tissues 9 out 24 seropositive or pseudo-seropositive with a bioassay using laboratory mice. Genotyping GRA6 gene...

Ixodid ticks were recovered from various animals in the northern area of Okinawajima Island, Japan, period 2016–2021. The ixodid tick species Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=39), Haemaphysalis hystricis (n=20), and Amblyomma testudinarium (n=1) dogs. Similar species, namely H. hystricis, formosensis, A. testudinarium, cats, Ryukyu long-furred rats, rabbits. Our results suggested that these three are dominant feed on small medium-sized mammals this area. Furthermore, detected human clothes,...

The dissemination of mcr-harboring Enterobacteriaceae, e.g., Escherichia fergusonii, with resistance to colistin via animal products is a public health concern. In our previous study, E. fergusonii harboring the mcr gene were isolated from 11 pigs and 43 chickens. To understand spread in Okinawa, Japan, gain further insights into how they can be controlled, an antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), conjugation test for transferability plasmids,...

We investigated clinically suspected measles cases that had discrepant real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) and measles-specific IgM test results to determine diagnoses. performed rRT-PCR testing on samples from 541 cases. Of the 24 IgM-positive rRT-PCR--negative cases, 20 were among children who received a measles-containing vaccine within previous 6 months; most low IgG relative avidity indexes (RAIs). The other 4 adults an unknown history, vaccination status, high RAIs. detected...