An outbreak of duck hepatitis A virus type 1 infection in Japan.

In June 2015, a highly fatal and acute disease broke out in a duckling farm in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The birds exhibited poor growth, reduced movement, lying in a dorsal recumbent position, depression, lethargy, ataxia and opisthotonus, with a high mortality rate of approximately 76%. By performing a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers specific for duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1), we obtained the PCR products of a predicted size. The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products showed a >96% identity with that of the DHAV-1, HB02 strain, which was isolated in China. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the DHAV-1 virus has been isolated since its outbreak in Japan in 1963.

Logistical study in Hyogo prefecture on disposal of poultry carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus to prevent infection spreading to other flocks.

Establishment of a disposal plan for carcasses in advance is important for prevention of epidemics. A disposal plan for contaminated goods such as poultry carcasses infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was studied in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. We investigated all poultry farms with over 1,000 birds for their locations, species and numbers of birds, structure and size of poultry facilities and land spaces of the farms. Moreover, we judged whether they could dispose of all the carcasses at their farms. In 2005, 5.5 million layers and 2.7 million broilers were being kept. If HPAI had broken out, 44.0% of the farmers could bury all the carcasses, and 65.6% could compost them at their farms. However, 23.4% could not dispose of them except by burning them at incineration facilities. We decided to choose burning first for rapid disposal as long as the virus was not a pandemic type.

Plasma cell myeloma producing IgG, IgM, and IgA immunoglobulins in a cow.

A diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma was made in a 6-year-old Holstein cow that showed continuous nosebleed, progressing emaciation, and hyperglobulinemia. Necropsy revealed enlargement of the caudal mesenteric lymph nodes. Lymph nodes and spleen were infiltrated by neoplastic plasma cells. Renal lymph nodes, bone marrow, and kidneys also were affected. Amyloid-like material that was negative for Congo red was present in most of the affected lymph nodes. Congo red-positive amyloid material was noted in spleen, kidneys, liver, and adrenal glands. Neoplastic plasma cells exhibited immunohistochemical reactions for lambda-light chain and 3 classes of heavy chain but not for kappa-light chain. Nonamyloid deposits were labeled with antisera against lambda-light chain and heavy chains. Plasmacytoid cells, which stained positively for IgG, IgM, or IgA, were intermingled in all lesions. Production of 3 types of immunoglobulins may be caused by heavy-chain class switching, constantly occurring in certain proportions.