Characterization of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolated from a mountain hawk eagle in Japan.
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On January 4, 2007, an emaciated mountain hawk-eagle was found in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 was isolated from both tracheal and cloacal swabs of the dead bird. On January 13, an outbreak of HPAI, caused by H5N1 strain, occurred in a chicken farm in Miyazaki Prefecture. Within three weeks, three additional outbreaks had occurred (two in Miyazaki Prefecture and one in Okayama Prefecture). To investigate the relationship between the hawk-eagle isolate and chicken isolates, we studied the virus growth, pathogenicity, and phylogenetic information of this hawk-eagle isolate. The highest virus titer was found in the brain (10(7.25 )EID(50)/g), followed by trachea and muscle (10(2.65) and 10(2.50) EID(50)/g, respectively). Sequence analysis at the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site of this isolate revealed a typical virulent-type sequence, R-R-R-K-K-R. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the hawk-eagle isolate belongs to Qinghai Lake type virus group. A homology search of the HA gene also showed major similarity (more than 99%) to the Miyazaki and Okayama isolates in 2007 and also Korean isolates in 2006. These results suggest that Qinghai Lake type H5N1 HPAI virus was newly introduced from Asian Continent into Japan, and had already present in natural environment of Kyusyu district in the beginning of January 2007. (+info)
Endangered edible orchids and vulnerable gatherers in the context of HIV/AIDS in the southern highlands of Tanzania.
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The qualities of cryopreserved epididymal sperm collected from feline epididymides stored at low temperature.
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We observed the influences of low-temperature storage of the feline epididymis on the epididymal semen qualities before and after cryopreservation to identify the optimal duration for low-temperature storage of the epididymis. After excision, the feline epididymis was stored at 4 degrees C for 0-72 hr and then subjected to epididymal sperm collection. When sperm from the refrigerated cauda epididymis were frozen and thawed, there was no significant difference in sperm motility between the 0- and 24-hr low-temperature storage groups, but sperm motility was significantly decreased in the 48-hr storage group. The above findings suggested that low-temperature storage of the epididymis until 24 hr is useful for frozen sperm collected from the feline cauda epididymis. (+info)
Global conservation significance of Ecuador's Yasuni National Park.
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