Publications

[a case of gastric ulcer induced by helicobacter heilmannii-like organism].	recently, there was growing interest in a gastric spiral-shaped bacterium morphologically deviating from helicobacter pylori (h. pylori), which was classified as helicobacter heilmannii (h. heilmannii). it rarely inhabits human species whereas the observation of structurally comparable bacteria in other mammals, including cats and dogs, is a commonplace. therefore, it is now generally recognized that h. heilmannii is an animal helicobacter, which is occasionally transmitted to man. h. heilmannii ...	2003	14532733
rabies in wildlife in latvia.	in the baltic states, lyssaviruses are often detected in wildlife and presumed to constitute an important public health hazard. in order to decrease rabies incidence and eradicate wildlife reservoirs, a national rabies eradication program has been in place. since 1970 a vaccination program in dogs and cats has been executed, and in 1991 oral vaccination of foxes was started. however, due to an insufficient budget, the latter was not done regularly and nationwide before 2000. now, the program in ...	2003	14511581
detection of echinococcus multilocularis antigens in faeces by elisa.	faecal samples deriving from 391 animals belonging to nine species (polecats, badgers, martens, weasels, rats, dogs, cats, red foxes, raccoon-dogs) were examined by capture elisa for the presence of the echinococcus multilocularis coproantigen. the main claim of our studies is the reliable detection of e. multilocularis coproantigens, mainly in the faeces of foxes, dogs and cats. for the first time in coproantigen detection we used a "double-sandwich" elisa. the main advantage of this method is ...	2003	14530971
prevalence of igg antibody to sars-associated coronavirus in animal traders--guangdong province, china, 2003.	severe acute respiratory syndrome (sars) was identified in 2003 as an infectious disease caused by the sars-associated coronavirus (sars-cov), a member of the coronavirus family not observed previously in humans. because its sequence data differ from that of known human coronaviruses, sars-cov is suspected to have crossed the species barrier between an animal host and humans. the sars outbreak began in china's guangdong province, where approximately 1,500 probable cases were identified during no ...	2003	14561956
seasonal changes in spermatogenesis and testicular steroidogenesis in wild male raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procynoides).	testes of 15 wild adult male raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procynoides) obtained from september 2000 to april 2001 were studied to clarify seasonal changes in spermatogenesis and testicular steroidogenesis. there were marked seasonal variations in the testis weight and size with values relatively low in september and highest in march. spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were observed in september, while spermatogonia, spermatocytes and round spermatids were present in january, and all types of s ...	2003	14600346
first human death associated with raccoon rabies--virginia, 2003.	rabies is an acute, progressive, incurable viral encephalitis, caused by the bite of an infected animal. in march 2003, a previously healthy man aged 25 years from northern virginia died from a diagnosed illness of meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology after a 3-week illness. histopathologic review of central nervous system tissues at cdc revealed viral inclusions suggestive of negri bodies, and subsequent tests confirmed a diagnosis of rabies. genetic sequencing identified a rabies virus vari ...	2003	14614408
comparative chromosomal localization of the canine-derived bac clones containing lep and igf1 genes in four species of the family canidae.	in the present report we show the chromosomal localization of two bac clones, carrying the leptin (lep) and insuline-like growth factor 1 (igf1) genes, respectively, in four species belonging to the family canidae: the dog, red fox, arctic fox and the chinese raccoon dog. the assignments are in agreement with earlier data obtained from comparative chromosome painting for the dog, red fox and arctic fox.	2003	14970714
development of a cytogenetic map for the chinese raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides) and the arctic fox (alopex lagopus) genomes, using canine-derived microsatellite probes.	new chromosomal assignments of canine-derived cosmid clones containing microsatellites to the chinese raccoon dog and arctic fox genomes are presented in the study. the localizations are in agreement with data obtained from comparative chromosome painting experiments between the dog and arctic fox genomes. however, paracentric inversions have been detected by comparing the loci order in canid karyotypes. the number of physically mapped loci increased to thirty-five both in the chinese raccoon do ...	2003	14970715
[blood feeding sources and peridomiciliation of lutzomyia longipalpis (lutz & neiva, 1912) (psychodidae, phlebotominae)].	a precipitin test was employed to study the alimentary tract content of lutzomyia longipalpis in the intra- and peridomiciliary environments in the municipality of raposa, maranh o state, a transmission area for visceral leishmaniasis or kala azar. out of 2,240 female sandflies captured, 547 (24.4%) had fed on vertebrate blood, with the following proportions: avian (87.9%); rodent (47.2%); human (42.4%); canine (27.6%); opossum (26.6%); and equine (22.5%). based on a survey of 120 human dwelling ...	2003	14666218
rabies surveillance in the united states during 2002.	during 2002, 49 states and puerto rico reported 7,967 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals and 3 cases in human beings to the centers for disease control and prevention, an increase of 7.2% from the 7,436 cases in non-human animals and 1 case in a human being reported in 2001. more than 92% (7,375 cases) were in wild animals, whereas 7.4% (592) were in domestic species (compared with 93.3% in wild animals and 6.7% in domestic species in 2001). compared with cases reported in 2001, the numbers of ...	2003	14690203
comparative chromosome painting defines the karyotypic relationships among the domestic dog, chinese raccoon dog and japanese raccoon dog.	the chinese raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides, 2n = 54 + 2-3 b) and japanese raccoon dog (nyctereutes p. viverrinus, 2n = 38 + 3-4 b) are two subspecies of the same species. the genome-wide comparative chromosome map between the japanese raccoon dog and domestic dog (canis familiaris) has been established by fluorescence in-situ hybridization with a set of domestic dog painting probes. in this study, we established the comparative chromosome map for the chinese raccoon dog and d ...	2003	14712859
raccoon roundworm eggs near homes and risk for larva migrans disease, california communities.	the raccoon roundworm, baylisascaris procyonis, is increasingly recognized as a cause of serious or fatal larva migrans disease in humans and animals. we assessed the potential for infection in three northern california communities by determining the density and distribution of raccoon latrines, where transmission primarily occurs, and the prevalence of eggs at private residences. we collected fecal samples from 215 latrines and found that 44%-53% of the latrines contained b. procyonis eggs and ...	2003	14720389
baylisascaris procyonis in the metropolitan atlanta area.	baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm responsible for fatal larva migrans in humans, has long been thought to be absent from many regions in the southeastern united states. during spring 2002, 11 (22%) of 50 raccoons trapped in dekalb county, georgia, had b. procyonis infection. the increasing number of cases highlight this emerging zoonotic infection.	2003	14720412
environmental and human demographic features associated with epizootic raccoon rabies in maryland, pennsylvania, and virginia.	we assessed land use and demographic data as predictors discriminating between counties experiencing large or small first epizootics of rabies among raccoons (procyon lotor). monthly county reports of raccoons testing positive for rabies were obtained from rabies surveillance databases from maryland, pennsylvania, and virginia (usa). environmental and demographic data for the three states were obtained from public sources. on the basis of total reports of raccoon rabies during the first defined ...	2003	14733282
a serosurvey of leptospirosis in connecticut peridomestic wildlife.	recently, leptospirosis has gained attention as a re-emerging infection in domestic dogs in the northeastern united states. in order to gain insight into the epizootiology of leptospirosis in this region, 109 small wild mammals (31 raccoons (procyon lotor), 30 skunks (mephitis mephitis), 28 opossums (didelphis virginiana), and 20 gray squirrels (sciurus carolinensis)) collected between february 27 and september 17, 2001 were tested for serologic evidence of exposure to five common leptospira ser ...	2003	14733671
clinical evaluation of rabies virus meningoencephalomyelitis in a dog.	a 6-month-old, female, mixed-breed dog presented for acute, progressive, flaccid paraplegia and bilateral pelvic-limb hyperesthesia. a lymphocytic pleocytosis with 366 mg/dl protein was found on cerebral spinal fluid (csf) evaluation. electromyography (emg) demonstrated positive sharp waves and fibrillations in the left pelvic limb; the m wave of the left sciatic nerve was not obtainable by nerve stimulation. seizures and dementia began during recovery from anesthesia. six days after onset of pa ...	2003	14736720
raccoon poxvirus as a mucosal vaccine vector for domestic cats.	in the present study, we evaluated both the immunogenicity and safety of recombinant raccoon poxvirus (rcn) as a mucosal vaccine vector for domestic cats. rcn is an orthopoxvirus that was isolated from healthy raccoons and has been used experimentally as a vaccine vector for rabies and other antigens in a variety of species, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, bobcats, rabbits, domestic cats, piglets, sheep and non-human primates. we evaluated the antibody response induced by a recombinant rcn va ...	2003	15203914
isolation of streptococcus canis from a japanese raccoon dog with fibrinous pleuropneumonia.		2003	14584580
survival and immunization of raccoons after exposure to pseudorabies (aujeszky's disease) virus gene-deleted vaccines.	in a controlled experiment, 16 wild-trapped raccoons were exposed to 1 of 2 genetically modified live pseudorabies virus (prv) vaccines used in swine. one vaccine had genes deleted for thymidine kinase (tk(-)) and glycoprotein g (gg(-)); the other had an additional deletion for glycoprotein e (ge(-)). these vaccines were administered orally and intranasally at four dose levels: 10(3), 10(4), 10(5), and 10(6) tcid(50). the 21 days survival rate was 37.5% for the gg(-)tk(-) vaccine; all of the sur ...	2003	12488067
application of dual colour fish for localisation of canine microsatellite markers in the chinese raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides) genome.	the present study shows new chromosomal localisation of four canine cosmid clones in the chinese raccoon dog genome by using dual colour fish. this approach facilitates rapid physical localisation of markers and will improve the determination of their order on chromosomes. the present new assignments increase the number of physically mapped markers in the chinese raccoon dog to 25.	2003	12590183
host associations and seasonal occurrence of haemaphysalis leporispalustris, ixodes brunneus, i. cookei, i. dentatus, and i. texanus (acari: ixodidae) in southeastern missouri.	hemaphysalis leporispalustris (packard), ixodes brunneus koch, ixodes cookei packard, ixodes dentatus marx, and ixodes texanus banks were collected during a 3-yr study of pathogen-tick-host interactions in southeastern missouri. h. leporispalustris was collected from the eastern cottontail rabbit, northern bobwhite, and carolina wren, and it was active all year. i. brunneus was collected by drag and from passerine birds during december, march, and april. i. cookei was collected from raccoons and ...	2003	12597662
recombinant raccoon pox vaccine protects mice against lethal plague.	using a raccoon poxvirus (rcn) expression system, we have developed new recombinant vaccines that can protect mice against lethal plague infection. we tested the effects of a translation enhancer (emcv-ires) in combination with a secretory (tpa) signal or secretory (tpa) and membrane anchoring (chv-gg) signals on in vitro antigen expression of f1 antigen in tissue culture and the induction of antibody responses and protection against yersinia pestis challenge in mice. the rcn vector successfully ...	2003	12559803
seasonal reproductive endocrine profile of the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides)-effects of melatonin and food deprivation.	the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides, canidae, carnivora) is a middle-sized omnivore with excessive autumnal fattening and winter sleep. we studied adaptations of the species to boreal climate and photoperiod by following the plasma reproductive and thyroid hormone concentrations of farm-bred raccoon dogs (n=32) for 12 months. on august 16, 2000, and february 8, 2001, half of the raccoon dogs received continuous-release melatonin implants (the mel group). the other half was sham-operated (t ...	2003	12975806
epidemiological situation of rabies in lithuania from 1990 to 2000.	the epidemiological situation of rabies was investigated in lithuania. over the last decade, 2277 cases of rabies were registered among wild and domestic animals (mean number of cases per districts was 44). the highest distribution of rabies was found in the districts of lazdijai and utena (116 and 81 cases, respectively), and the lowest in the svencioniai and zarasai districts (one and eight cases, respectively). it was found that rabies among wildlife comprised 54% with the majority of cases b ...	2003	12636997
diffuse retinochoroiditis due to baylisascaris procyonis in monglian gerbils.	baylisascaris procyonis, raccoon roundworm, causes a severe retinal lesion in humans. the lesion is termed as diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (dusn). to understand the pathogenesis of b. procyonis in gerbils, we inoculated 17 embryonated eggs/g body weight of b. procyonis into 15 male mongolian gerbils, merionis ungiculatus, and monitored their fundi with an ophthalmoscope. six of 15 gerbils (40%) showed severe retinitis with a sinuous track due to larval movement. the lesions extende ...	2003	12659323
skunk and raccoon rabies in the eastern united states: temporal and spatial analysis.	since 1981, an epizootic of raccoon rabies has spread throughout the eastern united states. a concomitant increase in reported rabies cases in skunks has raised concerns that an independent maintenance cycle of rabies virus in skunks could become established, affecting current strategies of wildlife rabies control programs. rabies surveillance data from 1981 through 2000 obtained from the health departments of 11 eastern states were used to analyze temporal and spatial characteristics of rabies ...	2003	14519253
isolation and characterization of viruses related to the sars coronavirus from animals in southern china.	a novel coronavirus (scov) is the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (sars). scov-like viruses were isolated from himalayan palm civets found in a live-animal market in guangdong, china. evidence of virus infection was also detected in other animals (including a raccoon dog, nyctereutes procyonoides) and in humans working at the same market. all the animal isolates retain a 29-nucleotide sequence that is not found in most human isolates. the detection of scov-like viruses in ...	2003	12958366
rabies among infrequently reported mammalian carnivores in the united states, 1960-2000.	most cases of rabies reported annually in the united states occur among three groups of carnivores--raccoons (procyon lotor), skunks (mephitis, spilogale, and putorius), foxes (vulpes, urocyon, and alopex)--and among bats (numerous species). however, between 1960 and 2000, a total of 2,851 cases of rabies in 17 other carnivore taxa were reported to the centers for disease control and prevention, atlanta, georgia (usa), from 49 states, the district of columbia, and puerto rico. three species of t ...	2003	12910751
experimental inoculation of scrapie and chronic wasting disease agents in raccoons (procyon lotor).		2003	12918830
seroprevalence of antibodies to neospora caninum in dogs and raccoon dogs in korea.	neospora caninum is an important cause of abortion in cattle, and dogs are its only known definitive host. its seroprevalence among domestic urban and rural dogs and feral raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis) in korea was studied by indirect fluorescent antibody test (ifat) and by the neospora agglutination test (nat), respectively. antibodies to n. caninum were found in 8.3% of urban dogs and in 21.6% of dogs at dairy farms. antibody titers ranged from 1:50 to 1:400. antibodies to ...	2003	14699266
use of discriminatory probes for strain typing of formalin-fixed, rabies virus-infected tissues by in situ hybridization.	an in situ hybridization (ish) method has been developed to overcome difficulties encountered in the viral typing of formalin-fixed rabies virus-infected brain tissue. rabies viruses representative of all strains normally encountered in diagnostic submissions throughout canada, including 3 strains of terrestrial hosts (arctic fox, western skunk, mid-atlantic raccoon), 10 strains circulating in several bat reservoirs (bbcan1 to bbcan7, lacan, shcan, and mycan), and the evelyn-rokitniki-abelseth ( ...	2003	12958267
effects of phytosterols on the endocrinology and metabolism of the female raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides).	phytosterols (ps) are the analogues of animal cholesterol in various plants. beta-sitosterol is a ps used in margarines and natural remedies to lower elevated serum cholesterol levels. ps enter the ecosystem via pulp mill effluents. the study investigated the endocrine and metabolic effects of ps on the female raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides), a canid omnivore. eight female animals were exposed perorally to 8 mg ps/kg/d for 4 wk with 8 animals in the control group. in the ps-treated female ...	2003	12857636
neuropathological observation of rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus) affected with raccoon roundworm (baylisascaris procyonis) larva migrans in japan.	larvae of the raccoon roundworm, baylisascaris procyonis (b. procyonis) are a known cause of cerebrospinal larva migrans in animals and humans. the present paper described details of the central nervous lesion in the rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus) affected with b. procyonis larva migrans in japan. clinically affected animals showed neurological signs including circling, torticollis, tremor of head, or ataxic gait. the most characteristic pathological alterations were large malacic lesions assoc ...	2003	12867729
growth pattern and seasonal weight changes of the feral raccoon (procyon lotor) in hokkaido, japan.	the growth pattern and seasonal weight fluctuations of feral raccoons in hokkaido were evaluated between 1999 and 2001. the growth rates inbody length and body weight were described for juveniles (young of the year) and yearlings (animals born in the previous season) using the gompertz growth model. the asymptotic body sizes for males were greater than those for females. young raccoons born during spring in the study area could potentially grow up to their asymptotic size at the beginning of the ...	2003	12675552
reproductive characteristics of the feral raccoon (procyon lotor) in hokkaido, japan.	reproduction of feral raccoons (procyon lotor) in hokkaido, japan, was examined during a 2-year period by analysis of placental scars or fetuses in the uterus. of 242 collected females, 69 (29%) were juveniles, 71 (29%) yearlings, and 102 (42%) adults. the pregnancy rate averaged 66% in yearlings and was significantly lower than the 96% average observed in adults (p<0.01). litter size ranged from 1 to 7 offspring per female, and averaged 3.6 in yearlings and 3.9 in adults. there was no significa ...	2003	12679568
canine-derived cosmid probes containing microsatellites can be used in physical mapping of arctic fox (alopex lagopus) and chinese raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides) genomes.	rapid development of the canine marker genome map facilitates genome mapping of other canidae species. in this study we present chromosomal localization of 18 canine-derived cosmid probes containing microsatellites in the arctic fox (alopex lagopus) and chinese raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides procyonoides) genomes by the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (fish). the chromosome localizations in the arctic fox are in general agreement with data obtained from comparative genome maps o ...	2003	12692168
epidemiological aspects of the first outbreak of baylisascaris procyonis larva migrans in rabbits in japan.	larva migrans caused by the common raccoon ascarid, baylisascaris procyonis, is a zoonotic disease of critical importance in north america. recently we encountered the first proven outbreak of this disease in japan in domestic rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus) in a small wildlife park. in this park, raccoons (procyon lotor) had been kept for 9 years, and one raccoon was donated to the park by a pet owner 8 weeks prior to the occurrence of an outbreak in rabbits. of 12 total raccoons, three raccoon ...	2003	12736426
eye findings of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis and multiple choroidal infiltrates associated with neural larva migrans due to bbaylisascaris procyonis.	to report childhood infection with baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon round worm) manifesting as diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (dusn) and choroidal infiltrates in association with neurologic disease (neural larva migrans).	2003	12788132
application of phylogeny reconstruction and character-evolution analysis to inferring patterns of directional microbial transmission.	i used phylogenetic analyses to reconstruct patterns of directional interspecific transmission during a pseudorabies virus outbreak in illinois, usa, in 1989. isolates were recovered from five species: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and raccoons (procyon lotor). i generated dna sequences for 16 isolates of pseudorabies virus at the glycoprotein c gene, from which i constructed phylogenetic trees. i then used these trees, in combination with parsimony-based analyses of character evolution, to infer ...	2003	14516717
raccoon roundworm (baylisascaris procyonis).		2003	12867843
cross-reactive antigenicity of nucleoproteins of lyssaviruses recognized by a monospecific antirabies virus nucleoprotein antiserum on paraffin sections of formalin-fixed tissues.	diagnosis of rabies is routinely confirmed by detection of rabies virus antigens in acetone-fixed frozen brain tissues or imprint smears using an immunofluorescence method with commercial antirabies virus antibodies. since recent molecular analyses disclosed wide heterogeneity in the genome sequences of rabies virus strains and related lyssaviruses, it is necessary to confirm the presence of common epitopes in these lyssaviruses. in this study we confirmed the presence of cross-reactive antigens ...	2003	12895231
molecular characterization of microsporidia indicates that wild mammals harbor host-adapted enterocytozoon spp. as well as human-pathogenic enterocytozoon bieneusi.	over 13 months, 465 beavers, foxes, muskrats, otters, and raccoons were trapped in four counties in eastern maryland and examined by molecular methods for microsporidia. a two-step nested pcr protocol was developed to amplify a 392-bp fragment of the internal transcribed spacer region of the rrna gene of enterocytozoon spp., with the use of primers complementary to the conserved regions of published nucleotide sequences. fifty-nine pcr-positive samples were sequenced. multiple alignments of thes ...	2003	12902234
environmental polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and cytochromes p450 in raccoons (procyon lotor).	an investigation involving raccoons as a sentinel species at the paducah gaseous diffusion plant (pgdp) and ballard wildlife management area in western kentucky (usa) delineated the extent of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs). three separate measures of hepatic cytochrome p450 (cyp) induction were used to evaluate raccoon physiological responses to pcb exposure. hepatic cyp induction was estimated via determination of total cyp, dealkylase activities, and immunoreactive proteins. ther ...	2003	12558175
environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls among raccoons (procyon lotor) at the paducah gaseous diffusion plant, western kentucky, usa.	an investigation involving raccoons (procyon lotor) as a sentinel species at the paducah gaseous diffusion plant (pgdp) in western kentucky (usa) delineated the extent of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) and pcb spatial distribution. raccoon exposure to pcbs was demonstrated through analysis of subcutaneous fat, abdominal fat, liver, and brain tissues from raccoons collected at the pgdp but also was clearly evident in raccoons from a reference area situated along the ohio river (usa) ...	2003	12558174
histochemical analysis of glycoconjugates in the ceruminous glands of the north american raccoon (procyon lotor).	the distribution and selectivities of glycoconjugates in the ceruminous glands of the north american raccoon (procyon lotor) were studied by light and electron microscopic histochemical methods, particularly lectin histochemistry. in the modified apocrine glands present, the apocrine secretion mode was combined with exocytosis, whereby the secretory epithelium and the luminal secretion of the ceruminous glands exhibited considerable amounts of complex carbohydrates with various terminal sugars ( ...	2003	12801086
could we keep the rabies epidemic away from the outer banks? oral rabies vaccination of raccoons.		2003	10383290
corticocortical inhibition of peripheral inputs within primary somatosensory cortex: the role of gaba(a) and gaba(b) receptors.	a conditioning-test pulse paradigm was used in combination with microiontophoresis to examine the corticocortical modulation of somatosensory processing. single-cell recordings were made in the glabrous digit representation of primary somatosensory (s1) cortex in anesthetized raccoons. test stimulation of the periphery (the on-focus digit) was preceded by conditioning stimulation of the cortical area that represents an adjacent digit at interstimulus intervals ranging from 5 to 200 ms. an early ...	2003	12904496
images in clinical medicine. raccoon eyes and neuroblastoma.		2003	12878754
interactions between inputs from adjacent digits in somatosensory thalamus and cortex of the raccoon.	interactions between somatosensory afferents arriving from different points in the periphery play an important role in sensory discrimination and also provide the substrate for plasticity following peripheral injury. to examine the extent and time course of such interactions, extracellular recordings were made from neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex and the ventroposterior lateral thalamus of anesthetized raccoons. interactions between adjacent digits were studied using the conditioning ...	2003	12802551
a molecular solution to the riddle of the giant panda's phylogeny.	although it is generally agreed that the giant panda (ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a member of the order carnivora, there has long been disagreement over whether it should be classified with bears, raccoons or as a single member of its own family. four independent molecular and genetic measures lead to a consensus phylogeny for the giant and lesser pandas. the lesser panda diverged from new world procyonids at approximately the same time as their departure from ursids, while ancestors of the giant ...	2003	4033795
chromosomes of the raccoon.		2003	6082342
uncertainty in science: is the giant panda a bear or a raccoon?	the few remaining doubts that the giant panda is a bear depend on the belief that it ought to be closely related to the lesser panda, and on controversial interpretations of molecular sequence differences.	2004	3774006
changes in corticothalamic modulation of receptive fields during peripheral injury-induced reorganization.	the influence of corticothalamic projections on the thalamus during different stages of reorganization was determined in anesthetized raccoons that had undergone previous removal of a single forepaw digit. single-unit recordings were made from 522 sites in the somatosensory nucleus of the thalamus (ventroposterior lateral nucleus) before and after lesioning parts of primary somatosensory cortex. in those parts of ventroposterior lateral nucleus that had intact input from the periphery, the corti ...	2004	15100406
a priori prediction of disease invasion dynamics in a novel environment.	directly transmitted infectious diseases spread through wildlife populations as travelling waves away from the sites of original introduction. these waves often become distorted through their interaction with environmental and population heterogeneities and by long-distance translocation of infected individuals. accurate a priori predictions of travelling waves of infection depend upon understanding and quantifying these distorting factors. we assess the effects of anisotropies arising from the ...	2004	15002767
localization of epidermal hyaluronan in the foot pads of the north american raccoon (procyon lotor).	the localization of the epidermal hyaluronan in the digital foot pads of the north american raccoon (procyon lotor) was examined by light and electron microscopic histochemical methods. the thick epidermis contained five epidermal layers composed of typical keratinocytes. in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum, hyaluronic acid was clearly detectable at cytoplasmic processes, in close vicinity to the surface coat of the plasma membrane, and/or in the intercellular space between the basal and ...	2004	15570887
progressive elevations in ampa and gabaa receptor levels in deafferented somatosensory cortex.	restricted receptive fields (rfs), a hallmark of mature sensory systems, are actively maintained by a balance between ascending excitation and local inhibition in the cortex. deafferentation disrupts this balance, allowing a sequence of changes in neuronal response properties that culminate in the reorganization of cortical rfs. to explore the molecular basis of deafferentation-induced rf reorganization, we tracked changes in ampa receptor (ampar), nmda receptor (nmdar) and gabaa receptor (gabaa ...	2004	15312173
retrospective and current risks of mercury to panthers in the florida everglades.	florida panthers are an endangered species inhabiting south florida. hg has been suggested as a causative factor for low populations and some reported panther deaths, but a quantitative assessment of risks has never been performed. this study quantitatively evaluated retrospective (pre-1992) and current (2002) risks of chronic dietary hg exposures to panthers in the florida everglades. a probabilistic assessment of hg risks was performed using a dietary exposure model and latin hypercube samplin ...	2004	15217246
retrospective study of mercury in raccoons (procyon lotor) in south florida.	museum and recent collections of raccoon hair were used to assess whether temporal or spatial trends existed in mmhg distributions in south florida. the hypothesis that mmhg in raccoon hair had remained the same since 1947 could not be rejected. some sampling regions showed increases while others did not. however, large differences existed between sites, amounting to a factor of 20 for raccoons collected during 2000 and during the period prior to 1960 (museum samples). raccoon feeding behavior a ...	2004	15217245
field immobilization of raccoons (procyon lotor) with telazol and xylazine.	the effectiveness of tiletamine plus zolazepam (telazol) and xylazine was evaluated as an immobilizing combination for raccoons (procyon lotor). fifteen raccoons were injected intramuscularly with a 3:2 mixture of telazol (3.2+/-0.6 mg/kg [mean+/-sd]) and xylazine (2.1+/-0.4 mg/kg) at pictured rocks national lakeshore, michigan, usa, during may-october, 2001-03. mean induction time was 4.8+/-3.8 min; mean recovery time was 128.5+/-48.4 min. no linear relationships were found between the amount ( ...	2004	15650101
physiological adaptations of the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides) to seasonal fasting-fat and nitrogen metabolism and influence of continuous melatonin treatment.	the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides) is a middle-sized canid with profound autumnal fattening followed by winter sleep. this study investigated the effects of prolonged fasting-induced winter sleep on the fat and nitrogen metabolism of the species. half of the animals were treated with continuous-release melatonin implants to induce artificial short photoperiod. autumnal accumulation of fat was characterized by low plasma free fatty acid (ffa), diacylglycerol (dg), and triacylglycerol (tg) ...	2004	14520494
wet markets--a continuing source of severe acute respiratory syndrome and influenza?	context: live-animal markets (wet markets) provide a source of vertebrate and invertebrate animals for customers in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. wet markets sell live poultry, fish, reptiles, and mammals of every kind. live-poultry markets (mostly chicken, pigeon, quail, ducks, geese, and a wide range of exotic wild-caught and farm-raised fowl) are usually separated from markets selling fish or red-meat animals, but the stalls can be near each other with no physical separation. ...	2004	14738798
karyotype of canine soft tissue sarcomas: a multi-colour, multi-species approach to canine chromosome painting.	many canine tumour types represent useful models for tumours also found in humans. studies of chromosomal abnormalities in canine tumours have been impeded by the complexity of the canine karyotype (2n = 78), which has made accurate identification of rearranged chromosomes difficult and laborious. to overcome this difficulty we have developed a seven-colour paint system for canine chromosomes, with six sets of chromosome paints covering all chromosomes except y. several pairs of canine autosomes ...	2004	15702421
genotypes of cryptosporidium species infecting fur-bearing mammals differ from those of species infecting humans.	of 471 specimens examined from foxes, raccoons, muskrats, otters, and beavers living in wetlands adjacent to the chesapeake bay, 36 were positive for five types of cryptosporidium, including the c. canis dog and fox genotypes, cryptosporidium muskrat genotypes i and ii, and cryptosporidium skunk genotype. thus, fur-bearing mammals in watersheds excreted host-adapted cryptosporidium oocysts that are not known to be of significant public health importance.	2004	15574965
immunohistochemical localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testis of hokkaido sika deer (cervus nippon yesoensis).	the testes from 15 adult male hokkaido sika deer (cervus nippon yesoensis) were collected during the rutting season (october and november). we investigated the localization of 4 kinds of steroidogenic enzymes (p450scc, 3betahsd, p450c17 and p450arom) immunohistochemically in these testicular samples. the specific immunoreactivities to these enzymes were detected only in the cytoplasm of leydig cells. this differs to the enzyme distributions reported previously in japanese black bear, japanese ra ...	2004	15585968
molecular epidemiology of terrestrial rabies in the former soviet union.	fifty-five rabies virus isolates originating from different regions of the former soviet union (fsu) were compared with isolates originating from eurasia, africa, and north america according to complete or partial nucleoprotein (n) gene sequences. the fsu isolates formed five distinct groups. group a represented viruses originating from the arctic, which were similar to viruses from alaska and canada. group b consisted of "arctic-like" viruses, originating from the south of east siberia and the ...	2004	15650080
exposure time of oral rabies vaccine baits relative to baiting density and raccoon population density.	oral rabies vaccination (orv) baiting programs for control of raccoon (procyon lotor) rabies in the usa have been conducted or are in progress in eight states east of the mississippi river. however, data specific to the relationship between raccoon population density and the minimum density of baits necessary to significantly elevate rabies immunity are few. we used the 22-km2 us national aeronautics and space administration plum brook station (pbs) in erie county, ohio, usa, to evaluate the per ...	2004	15362821
sarcoptic mange in raccoons in michigan.	sarcoptic mange is a cause of pruritic skin disease in domestic dogs and a wide range of wildlife species. we describe sarcoptic mange in free-ranging raccoons (procyon lotor). three adult raccoons from upper wayne county, michigan (usa), were captured, killed, and submitted for diagnostic evaluation. the animals were intensely pruritic, and two had advanced alopecic and crusting lesions over their dorsum and hind limbs. skin scrapings and skin biopsies revealed crusting and hyperkeratotic derma ...	2004	15362840
campylobacter jejuni and arcobacter species associated with intussusception in a raccoon (procyon lotor).		2004	15470973
genetically distant american canine distemper virus lineages have recently caused epizootics with somewhat different characteristics in raccoons living around a large suburban zoo in the usa.	mortality rates have differed during distemper outbreaks among free-ranging raccoons (procyon lotor) living around a large chicago-area zoo, and appeared higher in year 2001 than in 1998 and 2000. we hypothesized that a more lethal variant of the local canine distemper virus (cdv) lineage had emerged in 2001, and sought the genetic basis that led to increased virulence. however, a more complex model surfaced during preliminary analyses of cdv genomic sequences in infected tissues and of virus is ...	2004	15507154
[phylogenetic analysis of two rabies viruses, takamen and komatsugawa strains isolated in japan in the 1940's].	the entire coding region of the nucleoprotein (n) gene of takamen and komatsugawa strains of rabies virus isolated in japan in 1940's were determined. phylogenetic analysis was performed on 140 lyssaviruses (128 viruses of genotype 1 and 12 lyssaviruses of other genotypes) isolated in various parts of the world, including the two japanese rabies strains, based on the sequences of 1,350 nucleotides of the n gene. the rabies viruses were divided into 12 distinct clusters at least, reflecting geogr ...	2004	15508715
raccoon roundworm encephalitis.	the raccoon roundworm, baylisascaris procyonis, is increasingly recognized as a cause of zoonotic visceral, ocular, and neural larva migrans and, in particular, of devastating encephalitis in young children. exposure occurs mainly at raccoon latrines, where large numbers of infective eggs may be accidentally ingested. risk factors for infection include contact with raccoon latrines, pica/geophagia, age of <4 years, and male sex. the severity of central nervous system (cns) disease depends on the ...	2004	15546085
endocrine response to fasting in the overwintering captive raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides).	the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides) is an omnivorous canid utilizing the passive wintering strategy in the boreal climate. farmed raccoon dogs (n=12) were randomly assigned into two study groups on 26 november 2003. between 3 december 2003 and 27 january 2004, half of the animals were fasted for 8 weeks and plasma weight-regulatory hormone concentrations determined on 26 november and 30 december 2003 and on 27 january 2004. the plasma peptide yy, ghrelin, and growth hormone (gh) concentra ...	2004	15562452
rabies surveillance in the united states during 2003.	during 2003, 49 states and puerto rico reported 7,170 cases of rabies in nonhuman animals and 3 cases in human beings to the cdc. this represents a 10% decrease from the 7,967 cases in nonhuman animals and 3 cases in human beings reported in 2002. more than 91 (n = 6,556) were in wild animals, and 8.6% (614) were in domestic species (compared with 92.5% in wild animals and 74% in domestic species in 2002). the relative contributions of the major groups of animals were as follows: 2,635 raccoons ...	2004	15643834
the absence of anti-rabies antibody in the sera of feral raccoons (procyon lotor) captured in hokkaido, japan.	feral raccoons captured in hokkaido, japan were examined for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibody (vna). between 2000 to 2002, 741 serum samples were collected and then subjected to vna titer determination by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (rffit). sera showing rffit titers of > or =1:25 have been considered as positive according to previous reports. vna was detected in none of serum samples from the feral raccoons. the present study provides valuable background informatio ...	2004	15218220
limited infection upon human exposure to a recombinant raccoon pox vaccine vector.	a laboratory accident resulted in human exposure to a recombinant raccoon poxvirus (rcn) developed as a vaccine vector for antigens of yersinia pestis for protection of wild rodents (and other animals) against plague. within 9 days, the patient developed a small blister that healed within 4 weeks. raccoon poxvirus was cultured from the lesion, and the patient developed antibody to plague antigen (f1) and rcn. this is the first documented case of human exposure to rcn.	2004	15246608
sarcocystis neurona (protozoa: apicomplexa): description of oocysts, sporocysts, sporozoites, excystation, and early development.	equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is a major cause of neurological disease in horses from the americas. horses are considered accidental intermediate hosts. the structure of sporocysts of the causative agent, sarcocystis neurona, has never been described. sporocysts of s. neurona were obtained from the intestines of a laboratory-raised opossum fed skeletal muscles from a raccoon that had been fed sporocysts. sporocysts were 11.3 by 8.2 microm and contained 4 sporozoites. the appearance of the s ...	2004	15272465
protection of black-tailed prairie dogs (cynomys ludovicianus) against plague after voluntary consumption of baits containing recombinant raccoon poxvirus vaccine.	prairie dogs (cynomys spp.) are highly susceptible to yersinia pestis and significant reservoirs of plague for humans in the western united states. a recombinant raccoon poxvirus, expressing the f1 antigen of y. pestis, was incorporated into a palatable bait and offered to 18 black-tailed prairie dogs (cynomys ludovicianus) for voluntary consumption; 18 negative control animals received placebo baits. antibody titers against y. pestis f1 antigen increased significantly (p < 0.01) in vaccinees, a ...	2004	15322054
larva migrans by baylisascaris transfuga: fatal neurological diseases in mongolian jirds, but not in mice.	raccoon roundworms (baylisascaris procyonis) and other baylisascaris species cause patent or latent larva migrans (lm) in a variety of mammals and birds, including humans. it is not clear whether lm by baylisascaris transfuga, roundworms of bears, is associated with clinical neurological disorders. to clarify this issue, icr and balb/c mice as well as mongolian jirds (meriones unguiculatus) were orally inoculated with 2,000-5,000 embryonated eggs of b. transfuga. in mice, the ascarid caused symp ...	2004	15357068
prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to sarcocystis neurona in raccoons (procyon lotor) from an urban area of virginia.	equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is the most important protozoan disease of horses in north america and is usually caused by sarcocystis neurona. natural and experimentally induced cases of encephalitis caused by s. neurona have been reported in raccoons (procyon lotor) and raccoons are an intermediate host for this parasite. a 3-yr-long serological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to s. neurona in raccoons collected from fairfax county, virginia, a ...	2004	15357091
first record of cryptosporidium infection in a raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus).	cryptosporidium species have been found in more than 150 species of mammals, but there has been no report in raccoon dogs. here we found the cryptosporidium organism in a raccoon dog, nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus, and identified this isolate using pcr-based diagnostic methods. cryptosporidium diagnostic fragments of the 18s ribosomal rna, cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein and 70-kda heat shock protein genes were amplified from the isolate and sequenced to reveal the phylogenetic relatio ...	2004	15041092
effective primary isolation of wild-type canine distemper virus in mdck, mv1 lu and vero cells without nucleotide sequence changes within the entire haemagglutinin protein gene and in subgenomic sections of the fusion and phospho protein genes.	canine distemper virus (cdv) is an important pathogen of many carnivores. we are developing a field-based model of morbillivirus virulence and pathogenesis through a study of distemper in naturally infected free-ranging raccoons. the isolation of cdv from raccoon tissues is essential for this work. cdv has often been isolated from animals only after co-cultivation of infected tissues with peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from specific pathogen-free dogs or similar methods. we explored ...	2004	15081610
transmission of transmissible mink encephalopathy to raccoons (procyon lotor) by intracerebral inoculation.	to determine the transmissibility of transmissible mink encephalopathy (tme) agent to raccoons and to provide information about clinical course, lesions, and suitability of currently used diagnostic procedures for detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (tses) in raccoons, 4 raccoon kits were inoculated intracerebrally with a brain suspension from mink experimentally infected with tme. one uninoculated raccoon kit served as a control. all 4 animals in the tme-inoculated group show ...	2004	14974848
the dog genome map and its use in mammalian comparative genomics.	the dog genome organization was extensively studied in the last ten years. the most important achievements are the well-developed marker genome maps, including over 3200 marker loci, and a survey of the dna genome sequence. this knowledge, along with the most advanced map of the human genome, turned out to be very useful in comparative genomic studies. on the one hand, it has promoted the development of marker genome maps of other species of the family canidae (red fox, arctic fox, chinese racco ...	2004	15131351
proliferation of protease-enriched mast cells in sarcoptic skin lesions of raccoon dogs.	skin sites, tongue, lung, liver, jejunum and rectum from two raccoon dogs with sarcoptes scabiei infestation and five normal (control) raccoon dogs were examined in terms of the distribution, proteoglycan properties and protease activity of mast cells. infestation with s. scabiei caused a significant increase in the number of dermal mast cells. while the number of mast cells (average +/- standard deviation) in specimens of skin from the dorsum, dorsal neck, dorsal hind foot and dorsal fore foot ...	2004	15144797
observation of helicobacter-like organisms in gastric mucosa of grey foxes (urocyon cinereoargenteus) and bobcats (lynx rufus).	archival specimens of gastric mucosa of 10 raccoons (procyon lotor), 9 porcupines (erethizon dorsatum), 6 grey foxes (urocyon cinereoargenteus), 6 bobcats (lynx rufus), 4 skunks (mephitis mephitis), and 3 black bears (ursus americanus) were microscopically examined for evidence of helicobacter-like organisms. such organisms were seen in the specimens from the grey foxes and bobcats only. histochemical stains (modified steiner and carbol fuchsin methods) revealed long spiral organisms within lumi ...	2004	15188962
continuous melatonin treatment and fasting in the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides)--vernal body weight regulation and reproduction.	the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides) is a canid omnivore with marked seasonal changes in its body adiposity. the aim of this study was to investigate the roles of melatonin, leptin, ghrelin and growth hormone (gh) in weight regulation and reproduction of the species. sixteen raccoon dogs were treated with continuous-release melatonin implants in aug 2000 and in feb 2001 (the mel group) and 16 animals were sham-operated (the sham group). half of the raccoon dogs were fasted between nov 27(t ...	2004	14993828
failure to detect prion protein (prpres) by immunohistochemistry in striated muscle tissues of animals experimentally inoculated with agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.	transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (tses) are fatal neurologic diseases. infection by the causative agent, a prion, induces accumulations of an abnormal form of prion protein (prp(res)) in tissues of nervous and lymphoid systems. presence of characteristic histopathologic changes (spongiform encephalopathy) and detection of protease-resistant prp(res) in neural and lymphoid tissues are the basis of currently available methods for diagnosis of tses. in this study, samples of striated muscl ...	2004	14715973
molecular and biologic characteristics of toxoplasma gondii isolates from wildlife in the united states.	toxoplasma gondii isolates can be grouped into 3 genetic lineages. type i isolates are considered more virulent in outbred mice and have been isolated predominantly from clinical cases of human toxoplasmosis, whereas types ii and iii isolates are considered less virulent for mice and are found in humans and food animals. little is known of genotypes of t. gondii isolates from wild animals. in the present report, genotypes of isolates of t. gondii from wildlife in the united states are described. ...	2004	15040668
occurrence of the gulf coast tick (acari: ixodidae) on wild and domestic mammals in north-central oklahoma.	parasitic life stages of amblyomma maculatum koch were collected from domestic cattle and several species of wild mammals during a 3.5-yr study (may 1998-october 2001) in north-central oklahoma. adult ticks were the predominant life stage collected from cattle, white-tailed deer, coyotes, and raccoons, whereas only immature ticks were collected from cotton rats and white-footed mice. the prevalence of adult a. maculatum on white-tailed deer (n = 15) examined in june, july, and august 1998 was 80 ...	2004	15061275
temporal dynamics of rabies in a wildlife host and the risk of cross-species transmission.	an epidemiological model was developed for rabies, linking the risk of disease in a secondary species (cats) to the temporal dynamics of disease in a wildlife reservoir (raccoons). data were obtained from cats, raccoons, and skunks tested for rabies in the northeastern united states during 1992-2000. an epizootic algorithm defined a time-series of successive intervals of epizootic and inter-epizootic raccoon rabies. the odds of diagnosing a rabid cat during the first epizootic of raccoon rabies ...	2004	15188720
seasonal physiology of the wild raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides).	the raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides) is a canid omnivore with autumnal fattening and winter sleep. farmraised raccoon dogs have elevated plasma leptin and growth hormone levels in the winter and depressed plasma cortisol and insulin concentrations during wintertime food deprivation. however, these parameters were not previously tested in the wild population. in the present study 37 wild raccoon dogs were sampled at different seasons and diverse biochemical variables were determined. the re ...	2004	15118225
oral vaccination of wildlife against rabies: opportunities and challenges in prevention and control.	rabies is an acute, progressive, fatal encephalitis caused by viruses in the family rhabdoviridae, genus lyssavirus. rabies virus is the representative member of the group. warm-blooded vertebrates are susceptible to experimental infection, but major primary hosts for disease perpetuation encompass bats and mammalian carnivores. the dog is the global reservoir, and important wild carnivores include foxes, raccoons, skunks, and mongoose, among others. traditionally, reliance upon long-term, wides ...	2004	15742629
archival study of a finnish isolate from the 1988/89 rabies outbreak.	an archival brain sample from an infected dog taken during the 1988/89 rabies outbreak in finland was investigated to confirm that it was infected with classical rabies virus (genotype 1). the first 400 base pairs of the virus nucleoprotein gene were then sequenced and used to undertake a phylogenetic comparison between this isolate and a panel of rabies virus sequences from the baltic region. the finnish dog isolate was identical to a virus isolated from a raccoon-dog also recorded during the 1 ...	2005	15789260
persistence of elevated rabies prevention costs following post-epizootic declines in rates of rabies among raccoons (procyon lotor).	determining the benefits to cost relationships among different approaches to rabies control and prevention has been hindered by the inherent temporal variability in the dynamics of disease among wildlife reservoir hosts and a tangible and objective measure of the cost of rabies prevention. a major and unavoidable component of rabies prevention programs involves diagnostic testing of animals and the subsequent initiation of appropriate public health responses. the unit cost per negative and posit ...	2005	15820116
genetic characterization of rabies virus isolates in korea.	in investigation of the genetic characteristics of rabies viruses in korea, the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the nucleoprotein (n) gene were determined in four korean rabies virus strains obtained from dogs and raccoons, and were compared with published sequences for non-korean rabies viruses. three korean rabies virus isolates had identical nucleotide sequences, and the fourth differed at only one nucleotide position. the korean virus isolates had 84.5-92.0% nucleotide sequenc ...	2005	15830152
the development of a spatially explicit model to estimate radiocaesium body burdens in raccoons (procyon lotor) for ecological risk assessment.	a spatially explicit model of raccoon (procyon lotor) distribution for the u.s. department of energy's (doe) savannah river site (srs) in west-central south carolina was developed using data from a raccoon radio-telemetry study and visualized within a geographic information system (gis). an inductive approach was employed to develop three sub-models using the ecological requirements of raccoons studied in the following habitats: (1) man-made reservoirs, (2) bottomland hardwood/riverine systems, ...	2005	15833238
the proto-oncogene c-kit maps to canid b-chromosomes.	plant and animal karyotypes sometimes contain variable elements, that are referred to as additional or b-chromosomes. it is generally believed that b-chromosomes lack major genes and represent parasitic and selfish elements of a genome. here we report, for the first time, the localization of a gene to b-chromosomes of mammals: red fox (vulpes vulpes) and two subspecies of raccoon dog (nyctereutes procyonoides). identification of the proto-oncogene c-kit on b-chromosomes of two canidae species th ...	2005	15861301
molecular epizootiology of rabies associated with terrestrial carnivores in mexico.	epizootiological patterns of rabies are described, using antigenic and genetic analysis of samples obtained from infected domestic and wild mammals in 20 mexican states during 1976-2002. two independent origins are suggested for rabies in mexican carnivores. one group shares ancestry with canine rabies, while the other group appears to share a common origin with bat rabies in north america. more than 12 sublineages were found in rabid dog populations, suggesting at least six major spatio-tempora ...	2005	15896399
biology and epidemiology of toxoplasma gondii in man and animals.	toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite which utilizes felids as definitive hosts, and which has an unusually wide intermediate host range. the parasite was initially described by nicolle and manceaux in 1908 from the rodent, ctenodactylus gundi. infection with t. gondii is one of the most common parasitic infections of man and other warm-blooded animals. it has been found worldwide from alaska to australia. nearly one-third of humanity has been exposed to this parasite; serologic surveys indi ...	2005	16164008
a canine x chromosome painting probe applied to four canid species: close relationship of a heterochromatic-like sequence between the dog and the blue fox.	microdissection of chromosomes is an invaluable tool to physically isolate single chromosomes, chromosome-arms or chromosome-bands and, subsequently generate painting probes with which numerical or structural aberrations of chromosomes can be studied. in addition, such painting probes can be used to compare karyotypic relationships among mammalian species. for the present study a canine whole x chromosome painting probe was prepared by means of conventional microdissection and degenerate-oligonu ...	2005	16130457