Yamaguchi E, Fujii K, Ogawa H, Imai K. First detection of influenza A virus genes from wild raccoons in Japan. Virus Genes. 2018 May 8.
Serological surveys have shown that wild raccoons are exposed to influenza A viruses (IAVs); however, no genetic evidence for this IAV infection has been found. In the present study, we first detected IAV genes in wild raccoons captured during periods other than the wintering season of migratory waterfowl and epidemic season of influenza in Japan. Viral matrix (M) and nucleoprotein (NP) genes were detected by a conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay from three suckling siblings and one juvenile without any noticeable clinical signs, although the NP gene could not be detected from one sibling. The sequences of M gene fragments detected from the rectal swabs of three suckling siblings were comparable with each other but different from those detected from the nasal swab of the juvenile raccoon caught from a different site. The sequences of NP gene fragments detected from two suckling siblings were also comparable. These genetic evidences suggest that IAV is maintained among raccoon populations in the northern part of Japan. Further genetic and virological investigation of IAV infection in wild raccoons is needed to better understand the IAV ecology in the field.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Generation of Nasal Cell-Derived Human Alveolar Organoids and Organoid-Macrophage Assembloids for in Vitro Lung Modeling 15 hours ago
- Determinants of the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Uptake Among People Aged 50 Years or Above During and After the Pandemic: A Systematic Review 1 days ago
- [preprint]A GIS-based framework for standardized environmental characterization in One-Health surveillance: a case study of HPAI monitoring in wetlands 1 days ago
- First detection and transatlantic introduction of Influenza A(H3N2) subclade K (J.2.4.1) into Ecuador: insights from genomic sentinel surveillance 1 days ago
- Assessment of influenza virus and coronavirus tropism, replication competence and disease severity in ex vivo and in vitro cultures of the human respiratory tract 2 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


