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Hiromi Fujita

Publications and source records attributed to Hiromi Fujita.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Serological survey of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infection of feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Numbers of feral raccoon; the possible reservoir animal of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma, are increasing in Japan. Thus serological methods were utilized to examine Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infection in raccoons from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. By using an indirect immunofluorescence assay, among 187 feral raccoons examined, 1 (0.5%) serologically reacted with Ehrlichia canis, 3 (1.6%) with Ehrlichia chaffeensis and 1 (0.5%) with Anaplasma phagocytophilum with the titers of 1:40 or more. Although screening PCR for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species failed to detect the presence of ehrlichial DNA in serum samples, results of the serological tests suggested that the feral raccoons might be infected with some species of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma.

Anaplasma↗
PubMed2006

Rickettsia tamurae sp. nov., isolated from Amblyomma testudinarium ticks.

Rickettsia sp. strain AT-1(T) was isolated from Amblyomma testudinarium ticks in Japan in 1993. Comparative analysis of sequences obtained from 16S rRNA, gltA, ompA, ompB and sca4 gene fragments demonstrated those from AT-1(T) to be markedly different from those of other members of the spotted fever group. Using mouse serotyping, it was also observed that Rickettsia sp. strain AT-1(T) was different from other Rickettsia species with validly published names. Such genotypic and phenotypic characteristics warrant its classification as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Rickettsia tamurae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain AT-1(T) (=CSUR R1(T)).

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed2006

Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov., isolated in Japan.

The characterization of a novel Rickettsia species, first isolated from Ixodes ovatus ticks in Japan in 1993, is described for which the name Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov. is proposed. Using multilocus sequence comparison, five rickettsial isolates from I. ovatus collected at various locations in Japan were found to be identical but belonged to a novel species. Serotyping also demonstrated this rickettsia to be distinct from previously described Rickettsia species. The type strain of Rickettsia asiatica sp. nov. is IO-1(T) (=CSUR R2(T)). Following discussions held at the meeting of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) and its Judicial Commission (JC) in San Francisco, 2005, and in anticipation of the published minutes of the JC and ICSP, a committee consisting of the chairman of the ICSP, the chairman of the Judicial Commission of the ICSP and the Editor of the IJSEM has granted an exception in this case to the Rule governing the deposit of type material in two different collections in two different countries.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Molecular identification of Ehrlichia species and 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis' from ticks and wild rodents in Shizuoka and Nagano Prefectures, Japan.

A total of 293 ticks and 111 wild rodents that were collected in Shizuoka and Nagano Prefectures, Japan, were examined for infection of Ehrlichia species and 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis.' The 16S rDNA or the omp-1 gene of these bacterial DNAs were detected from the spleens of tick-inoculated mice (5 positive/total 29 mice) or from the spleens of wild rodents (25 positive/total 111 rodents) by PCR amplifi-cation. Sequencing of the 16S rDNA revealed Ehrlichia spp. from the 5 tick-inoculated mice and 8 wild rodents, and 'Candidatus N. mikurensis' from 17 wild rodents. The data suggest the presence of additional genetic variants, and potential vectors and/or reservoirs for these bacteria in central Japan.

Anaplasmataceae↗
PubMed2006

First detection of Rickettsia in soft-bodied ticks associated with seabirds, Japan.

Rickettsia was first detected in seabird soft-bodied ticks, Carios capensis and C. sawaii in Japan. According to sequence analysis, Rickettsia in Japan was identical to Rickettsia scc31 in C. capensis in the U.S.A. This suggested that an environmental circulation had consisted among microorganisms, ticks and long distance migratory seabirds around the Pacific Ocean.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

First record of Leptospira borgpetersenii isolation in the Amami Islands, Japan.

In 2003, a Leptospira survey was performed on Yoroshima Island of the Amami Islands located in the southwestern part of Japan. Seven Leptospira strains were isolated from the field rat Rattus rattus, which were identified as L. borgpetersenii by flaB sequencing, 16S rDNA sequencing and gyrB sequencing, and serovar Javanica was determined by a microscopic agglutination test. NotI-long restriction fragment analysis indicated that these isolates were genetically indistinguishable from an isolate from the Okinawa Islands. The present results suggest that L. borgpetersenii is migrating into the Amami Islands in Japan.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The first reported case of spotted fever in Fukui Prefecture, the northern part of central Japan.

A 53-year-old man visited Mt. Arashima-dake in Fukui Prefecture, and was infested by a tick-like organism. He visited a local clinic on July 12, 2004, complaining of high fever, general fatigue and rash. After several days without definite diagnosis, he was admitted to the Fukui Prefectural Hospital, where he was treated with minocycline hydrochloride for 10 days until recovery. His clinical symptoms on admission were high fever (39.6 degrees C), erythematous eruption, eschar on the right upper arm, and regional lymphoadenopathy. The epidemiological status and some clinical findings strongly suggested spotted fever (SF), and SF was confirmed based on the finding that his sera were reactive only to antigens of the SF group rickettsiae in the indirect immunoperoxidase analysis. This case is the first official report of SF rickettsiosis in Fukui Prefecture, the northern part of central Japan.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2004

Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the tongue.

A firm, ulcerated tumor formed on the left side of the tongue of an elderly woman. Histopathological analysis showed that this unusual neoplasm was composed of monomorphic polygonal cells that exhibited a clear cytoplasm containing large amounts of periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-positive, diastase-digestive material. Most of the tumor cells stained immunohistochemically for Cytokeratin, high-molecular, CAM5.2, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), but were negative for alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), and S-100 protein. These findings supported a diagnosis of clear cell adenocarcinoma. Although patients with this type of tumor generally have a favorable prognosis, the tumor in our patient was fast-growing and contained a large number of Ki-67 positive cells, which are known to be highly proliferative. Thus, this case highlights the fact that even clear cell adenocarcinomas that are usually slow-growing should be investigated by conventional morphological techniques and their proliferative activity quantified in order to select the most appropriate treatment strategy.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed2004

Ultrastructure of a Japanese Rickettsial strain genetically identified as Rickettsia helvetica which was originally found in Europe.

A rickettsial strain IO-1 has been isolated from a tick, Ixodes ovatus, in Japan and genetically identified as Rickettsia helvetica, a member of the spotted fever group rickettsiae. Ultrastructural observations were made on the microorganism. The ultrastructure of R. helvetica IO-1 appeared to be generally the same as that previously shown for other rickettsiae of the spotted fever and typhus groups. The rickettsiae were primarily found free in the cytoplasm of L929 cultured cells. Occasionally, the rickettsiae may also invade the host cell nucleus; however, the frequency of the nuclear localization was very low.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Quantitative analysis of lacrimal gland function, apoptotic figures, Fas and Fas ligand expression of lacrimal glands in dry eye patients.

The purpose of our study was to examine the correlation between the lacrimal gland function and apoptotic figure, Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) expression in the lacrimal gland. A total of 15 dry eye patients (nine Sjögren's syndrome and six non-Sjögren's syndrome-type dry eye) were recruited for the study. Lacrimal function was evaluated by Schirmer tests 1 and 2. Lacrimal gland biopsies were performed and sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using APO2.7, an antibody to Fas and FasL. Quantitative analysis of fluorescein staining was performed by a scanning laser microscopy. Schirmer test 2 results were lower in Sjögren's syndrome-type dry eye and were associated with positive staining of acinar cells with APO2.7 and of infiltrating lymphocytes with FasL. There was a good correlation between the results of Schirmer test 2 and APO2.7 and FasL staining. Lacrimal gland dysfunction is related to the apoptotic figure of acinar cells possibly induced by FasL on the infiltrating lymphocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Phylogenetic analysis of spotted fever group rickettsiae based on gltA, 17-kDa, and rOmpA genes amplified by nested PCR from ticks in Japan.

In order to understand the natural situation of rickettsiae in the ticks in Japan, the rickettsial genes, gltA gene, rOmpA gene, and 17-kDa gene, were amplified from the ticks by nested PCR. The prevalences of rickettsial gltA genes among Haemaphysalis formosensis, H. longicornis, H. megaspinosa, Ixodes ovatus, H. flava, H. kitaokai, and I. persulcatus were 62, 57, 24, 24, 19, 13, and 10%, respectively; 26% (186/722) being the average. The gltA genes amplified from the ticks were classified into 9 genotypes (I to IX) by the difference in nucleotide sequences. Genotype I was detected from 7 species of ticks. Genotype II mainly was detected from H. longicornis and H. formosensis. Genotypes III and VII mainly were detected from H. flava and I. ovatus. The polarization in the distribution of genotypes among regions where the ticks were collected was not clear. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the three genes presented here, genotypes I, III, and IV (detected from H. formosensis, H. hystricia, and I. ovatus ) are genetically close with each other, but rickettsiae of the same property still have not been isolated from ticks anywhere in the world. These genotypes should be considered as new species among SFG rickettsiae. Genotype II was identical with strain FUJ-98, genetically close to R. japonica which has been isolated from ticks in China. Genotype V was identical with R. felis and strain California 2 isolated from the cat flea. This is the first report on the detection of R. felis from ticks. Genotype VI detected from Ixodes sp. did not seem to belong to genus Rickettsia. Based on the previous antigenic data and the phylogenetic analysis presented here, Genotype VII should be considered a variant of R. helvetica and genotype VIII detected from I. ovatus and I. persulcatus were identical with R. helvetica. Genotype IX detected from I. nipponensis was genetically close to the strains IRS3, IRS4, and IrR/Munich isolated from I. ricinus in Slovakia and German.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Fulminant Japanese spotted fever definitively diagnosed by the polymerase chain reaction method.

A 72-year-old man was admitted to the emergency ward in our hospital on July 20, 2001, because of consciousness disturbance, fever, generalized skin eruption, and severe general weakness beginning 7 days previously. Physical examination on admission revealed marked systemic cyanosis, erythema, and purpura. Laboratory findings indicated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and multiorgan failure (platelet count, 0.9 x 10(4)/micro l; fibrin degradation product, 110 micro g/ml; C-reactive protein, 22.6 mg/dl). Soluble interleukin 2-receptor (sIL-2R) was markedly increased to 14 710 U/ml. Blood gas analysis demonstrated severe metabolic acidosis. He was diagnosed with multiorgan failure due to DIC. Administration of heparin and sodium bicarbonate was started immediately, but respiratory failure was exacerbated and systemic spasm caused by encephalitis was noted. Although he was supported by an artificial ventilator, deterioration of metabolic acidosis occurred, and the blood pressure decreased to less than 60 mm Hg. He died 5.5 h after admission. The serological test showed no positive antibody titers against Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia japonica, or Rickettsia typhi. However, a specific DNA band derived from R. japonica was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using a primer from a blood clot. Therefore, he was definitively diagnosed as having Japanese spotted fever. The PCR method may be markedly useful for establishing a definitive diagnosis of Japanese spotted fever during the critical stage.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Phylogenetic analysis of spotted fever group Rickettsiae isolated from ticks in Japan.

Eight spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae isolated from ticks in Japan were classified by phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequences of both the citrate synthase-encoding gene (gltA) and 190-kDa antigen-encoding gene (rOmpA). In the phylogenetic tree of gltA, strains DT-1 and FLA-1 isolated from the Dermacentor taiwanensis and Haemaphysalis frava ticks, respectively, were placed as Rickettsia japonica, and strains IO-1, IO-2, IO-25, IM-1 and IP-2 from genus Ixodes ticks were placed as Rickettsia helvetica. Strain AT-1 isolated from the Amblyomma testudinarium belonged to the cluster including Rickettsia akari, Rickettsia australis and Rickettsia felis. In the phylogenetic tree of the rOmpA, strains DT-1 and FLA-1 were placed as R. japonica, and strain AT-1 belonged to the cluster including Rickettsia cooleyi and the symbiont of Ixodes scapularis. The rOmpA fragments of 5 Ixodes isolates could not be amplified by PCR. The present study showed that strains DT-1 and FLA-1 were genotypically identical to R. japonica, and 5 Ixodes isolates were associated with the R. helvetica. Based on previous genotypic and antigenic data, and the phylogenetic analysis presented here, strain AT-1 should be considered as a new species among SFG rickettsiae.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Genetic identification of rickettsiae isolated from ticks in Japan.

Following the description in Japan of Japanese spotted fever, caused by Rickettsia japonica, a search for the vector of this disease led to the isolation of several rickettsiae from various tick species. Sixty-three rickettsial isolates were obtained from six different tick species, and six type strains were described by PCR and monoclonal antibody testing. We identified these six strains by amplification and sequencing of the genes encoding 16S rRNA and citrate synthase. We confirmed that the isolates from Dermacentor taiwanensis and Haemaphysalis flava ticks were R. japonica isolates. In Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes persulcatus, and Ixodes monospinosus, we identified a Rickettsia identical or closely related to Rickettsia helvetica, a species that is pathogenic for humans and that to date has only been found in Europe. Finally, we identified a new genotype of unknown pathogenicity, genotype AT, that was isolated from Amblyomma testudinarium ticks and that is closely related to a Slovakian genotype obtained from Ixodes ricinus ticks.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Novel noninvasive sensitive determination of tear volume changes in normal cats.

We describe a novel, high-resolution and noninvasive method for measuring tear volume changes in cats. The method entails photographing at the lid margin the tear meniscus area defined by instillation of 0.1% fluorescein solution into the cul-de-sac. The inferior tear meniscus area was obtained from the digitized images with computer-assisted software. The tear meniscus area increased in proportion to the saline volume applied into the conjunctival sac, which validates the technique. Furthermore, this technique detected with high sensitivity previously described increases in tear fluid secretion induced by the P2Y(2) agonist. We demonstrate in cats that changes in conjunctival sac tear volume can be evaluated by measurement of its inferior tear meniscus area.

Animals↗