Moderators of the Association Between Contact Frequency With Non-Cohabitating Adult Children and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objective@#Contact frequency with adult children plays a critical role in late-life depression. However, evidence on possible moderators of this association remains limited. Moreover, considering alterations in contact modes after the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, there is a need to investigate this association post-pandemic to develop effective therapeutic interventions. @*Methods@#This study included 7,573 older adults who completed the Living Profiles of the Older People Survey in Korea. Participants’ contact frequency and depressive symptoms were analyzed. Regression analysis was performed after adjusting for covariates. The moderating effects of variables were verified using a process macro. @*Results@#Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that infrequent face-to-face (odd ratio [OR]=1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.55–2.22) and non-face-to-face contact (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.04–1.45) in the non-cohabitating adult children group was associated with a higher risk of late-life depression compared to that in the frequent contact group. Linear regression analysis indicated consistent results for face-to-face and non-face-to-face contact (estimate=0.458, standard error [SE]=0.090, p<0.001 and estimate=0.236, SE= 0.074, p=0.001, respectively). Moderation analysis revealed that the association between late-life depression and frequency of face-toface contact was moderated by age, household income quartiles, number of chronic diseases, physical activity frequency, presence of spouse, nutritional status, and whether the effect of frequency of non-face-to-face contact on late-life depression was increased by participation in social activity, frequent physical activity, and good cognitive function (p for interaction<0.05). @*Conclusion@#Frequent contact with non-cohabitating children lowers the risk of depression later in life. Several variables were identified as significant moderators of contact frequency and depression symptoms.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and inhibition of gastritis by Allium hookeri extract / 한국실험동물학회지

Allium hookeri is widely consumed plant as a vegetable and herbal medicine in southeastern Asia. Allium hookeri has been reported antioxidant, improvement of bone health and antidiabetic effects. In the present study, we investigated the potential inhibitory effect of Allium hookeri extract (AHE) on Helicobacter pylori. The in vitro anti-bacterial activities of AHE were determined by disk agar diffusion method. Also, the inhibition effect of the AHE on H. pylori infection was investigated using a mouse model. H. pylori colonization was confirmed by rapid urease tests, as described previously. Mucosal damage was evaluated grossly and histologically according to previously described criteria. As the results of the disk agar diffusion assay, CLR, AMX and MTZ inhibited the bacterial growth with inhibition zone of 19.2, 15.2 and 7.5 mm, respectively. AHE 100 µg/mL showed an inhibition zone value of 20.6 mm. Rapid urease tests of the mice stomachs demonstrated a significant reduction in H. pylori colonization. In addition to the therapeutic effect against H. pylori infection, the AHE reduced mucosal inflammation and epithelial damages in the stomach of H. pylori-infected mice. These results demonstrate that the AHE successfully cured an H. pylori infection and treated the H. pylori infection. This AHE could be a promising treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastritis caused by H. pylori.

Anti-coccidial activity of the ethanol extract of Tribulus terrestris fruits on Eimeria tenella / 한국실험동물학회지

Anti-coccidial effects of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris (Tribuli fructus) ethanol extract (TTE) were studied with animal experiment following per oral administration with Eimeria (E.) tenella. This experiment was performed on the 3-day-old chicks (n=30). The animals were divided with 3 groups; TFE 15mg per animal+infected (n=10), TTE untreated+infected (n=10) and non-infected control (n=10). Animals were administrated with or without TTE during 1 week, and then inoculated with E. tenella. The anti-coccidial activity were evaluated with oocysts shedding numbers in stools, body weights changes and food intake changes. The TTE-inoclated animals revealed significantly decreased stool oocysts numbers (P < 0.05) when compared to the TTE untreated animals. Also, TTE-treated animals showed more increased body weight gains (P < 0.05) than the TTE untreated animals. These results demonstrate that TTE produce anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. TTE could be a promising treatment for the coccidiosis.

Anticoccidial effects of the Plantago asiatica extract on experimental Eimeria tenella infection / 한국실험동물학회지

Anticoccidial effects of the Plantago asiatica extract (PAE) were evaluated in chickens following oral infection with Eimeria (E.) tenella. This study was conducted on the 3-day-old chickens (n=30). Those animals were divided with 3 groups; PAE 0.1% treated/infected (n=10), PAE untreated/infected (n=10) and non-infected control (n=10). Chickens were fed a standard diet supplemented with or without PAE for 1 week prior to infection with E. tenella (10,000 sporulated oocysts per chicken). The effects of PAE on E. tenella infection were assessed by two parameters; fecal oocysts shedding and body weights gain. The PAE-fed chickens produced significantly reduced fecal oocysts (P<0.05) when compared to the E. tenella-infected group fed standard diet. Also, PAE-based diet, improved body weight loss caused by E. tenella infection. Our data demonstrated that PAE had remarkable anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. This finding might have implications for the development of anticoccidial drug. This study is the first to demonstrate anticoccidial effect of PAE on Eimeria parasites.

Detection of Helicobacter felis in a cat with gastric disease in laboratory animal facility / 한국실험동물학회지

A 3-month-old male cat in the animal facility was presented for investigation of anorexia and occasional vomiting. We collected the specimens from gastroscopic biopsy and stool collection. The gastroscopic biopsy specimens were tested using a rapid urease test, CLO Helicobacter-detection kits. Stool specimens were gathered and evaluated using the commercially available SD Bioline H. pylori Ag kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Genomic DNAs from gastroscopic biopsy and stool specimens of the cat were extracted and submitted to the consensus PCR to amplify Helicobacter rpoB gene. Then the DNAs from gastroscopic biopsy and stool specimens were conducted a multiplex species-specific PCR to amplify urease B gene for H. heilmannii, H. pylori and H. felis. As the results, the rapid urease test with gastroscopic biopsy was revealed positive reaction. The result of H. pylori Stool Ag assay was one red line, negative for H. pylori. The gastroscopic biopsy and stool specimen were positive reactions by the consensus PCR reaction using the RNA polymerase beta-subunit-coding gene (rpoB) to detect Helicobacter species. By multiplex species-specific PCR with gastroscopic biopsy and stool specimens, no amplification products corresponding to either H. heilmannii or H. pylori were detected, but the specimens tested were positive for H. felis. This case was confirmed as gastroenteric disease induced by H. felis infection. On our knowledge, this is a very rare report about H. felis-induced gastroenteric disease in cat and may provide a valuable data on the study of feline Helicobacter infection.

Detection of canine respiratory coronavirus from dogs with respiratory disease / 동물의과학연구지

Canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) is commonly associated with canine kennel cough worldwide. Clinically infected dogs present coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Severe infections may progress to pneumonia. Through serological surveys, CRCoV has been identified as a worldwide pathogen found in the respiratory tracts of dogs suffering from mild or severe respiratory disease. In this study, three dogs were obtained from a dog kennel. Over the previous 5 days, the dogs showed coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge. To detect the etiologic pathogen, we performed multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR) to amplify the genes encoding canine influenza virus matrix protein, canine distemper virus nucleocapsid protein, and CRCoV spike protein. Dot blotting was achieved with a CRCoV-specific probe. Nasal-secreting CRCoV was detected by the 442 bp CRCoV-positive PCR reaction in the nasal swabbing samples from dogs. Further, CRCoV-positive reactions by dot blot hybridization were detected in the nasal swabbing samples from dogs. In conclusion, we detected CRCoV in kenneled dogs with respiratory disease in Korea. Multiplex RT-PCR was able to detect successfully CRCoV infection in dogs. We suggest that mRT-PCR would be useful and effective for monitoring CRCoV infection in various kinds of dogs.

Evaluation of assays to detect Helicobacter felis infection in cats / 동물의과학연구지

Recently, several companies have released H. pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test kits. However, there is little information about the usefulness of HpSA testing for Helicobacter felis, which is the major Helicobacter species in cats. The aim of the present study was to compare diagnostic methods for diagnosis of H. felis with HpSA tests and PCR assay using cat stools or gastric mucosa. Male cats (n=6) were infected with H. felis ATCC 49179 (1.0 x 10(9) CFU /cat) by intragastric inoculation two times at 3-day intervals, and stool specimens of cats were collected 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days after infection for HpSA testing and H. felis-specific PCR. For the results, sensitivities of the HpSA test and PCR analysis were 50.0% and 83.3% respectively. Cats were sacrificed 21 days after H. felis inoculation, and gastric tissues were homogenized. All gastric biopsy specimens were positive based on a rapid urease test (RUT) (6/6, 100%) and PCR (6/6, 100%). Based on these results, the HpSA kit is useful and effective for monitoring H. felis infection using stool specimens. If an HpSA test could be made with H. felis antibodies in the future, its sensitivity could be increased further. Further, PCR assay could be successfully used to detect H. felis in stools. Application of this HpSA kit and PCR assay can be utilized as a non-invasive strategy to identify H. felis in cats.

Diagnosis of Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection in pigs by PCR amplification of 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region / 동물의과학연구지

Mycoplasma hyorhinis (M. hyorhinis) is considered an etiological agent of arthritis in suckling pigs. Recently, some M. hyorhinis strains were shown to produce pneumonia that is indistinguishable from the mycoplasmosis caused by M. hyopneumoniae. In this study, we developed a sensitive and specific PCR assay to detect M. hyorhinis and applied the developed PCR assay for detection of Mycoplasma infection in clinical piglets infected with M. hyorhinis. We developed a new PCR assay using a M. hyorhinis-specific primer pair, Mrhin-F and Mrhin-R, designed from the Mycoplasma 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The primers and probe for the assay were designed from regions in the Mycoplasma 16S-23S rRNA ITS unique to M. hyorhinis. The developed PCR assay was very specific and sensitive for the detection of M. hyorhinis. The assay could detect the equivalent of 1 pg of target template DNA, which indicates that the assay was very sensitive. In addition, M. hyorhinis PCR assay detected only M. hyorhinis and not any other Mycoplasma or bacterial spp. of other genera. The new developed PCR assay effectively detected M. hyorhinis infection in pigs. We suggest that this PCR assay using a M. hyorhinis-specific primer pair, Mrhin-F and Mrhin-R, could be useful and effective for monitoring M. hyorhinis infection in pigs.

Comparison of three diagnostic assays for the identification of Helicobacter spp. in laboratory dogs / 한국실험동물학회지

A number of Helicobacter species may confound experimental data because of their association with disease progressing in various kinds of laboratory animals. Screening of Helicobacter species is particularly desirable, because they are prevalent in commercial and research animal facilities. The aim of the present study was to compare three diagnostic methods [e.g. Helicobacter stool antigen kit (HpSA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid urease test (RUT)] for the identification of Helicobacter spp. in stools or gastric biopsy specimens collected from eight dogs suffering from gastritis. The gastroscopic biopsy specimens were tested using RUT and PCR, while stool specimens were evaluated using both HpSA and PCR. DNAs from the gastric biopsies and stool specimens were analyzed by both a consensus PCR that amplified the RNA polymerase beta-subunit-coding gene (rpoB) of Helicobacter spp. and a species-specific PCR to amplify the urease B gene of Helicobacter heilmannii, Helicobacter pylori, and Helicobacter felis. Helicobacter spp. were detected in 62.5% of the dogs, while H. heilmannii and H. felis were identified in 37.5 and 25% of the dogs, respectively. The HpSA did not efficiently detect Helicobacter spp. in the stool samples compared to the RUT and PCR assays, both of which successfully detected Helicobacter spp. in the two sample types. Finally, we recommend that consensus PCR with stool specimens could be used before the species-specific PCR for identifying Helicobacter species in laboratory dogs.

Protective effect of halophyte Salsola komarovi Iljin against gastric ulcer Induced by alcohol treatment in rats / 동물의과학연구지

Salsola komarovi Iljin is a halophyte and herbaceous annual native to the sand dunes and beaches of Japan, northern China, Sakhalin, and Korea. The plants have been known as an ecologically important species for enhancing formation of sand dunes in Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-gastric ulcer effect of Salsola komarovi Iljin halophyte in an HCl-ethanol-induced gastritis model. SD rats (7-weeks-old) were divided into normal (I, n=10), control (II, 60% HCl-ethanol + water, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + Ranitidine 300 mg/kg (III, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + Salicornia herbacea L. 500 mg/kg (IV, n=10), 60% HCl-ethanol + 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg (V, n=10), and 60% HCl-ethanol + water extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg (VI, n=10) groups. Salsola komarovi Iljin significantly suppressed gastric lesions and ulcers in the 60% HClethanol-induced gastric model. Especially, 500 mg/kg of 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin showed significant inhibitory effects against gastritis. Especially, 50% alcohol extract of Salsola komarovi Iljin 500 mg/kg showed a significantly inhibitory effect, which was more potent than that of 300 mg/kg of Ranitidine. In histopathological analysis of the animal model, Salsola komarovi Iljin attenuated gastric ulcer formation. Our results suggest that Salsola komarovi Iljin has inhibitory effects against gastritis and gastric ulcers and could be developed as a new anti-gastric ulcer agent.

Anti-toxoplasmosis effect of Dictamnus dasycarpus extract against Toxoplasma Gondii / 동물의과학연구지

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes a life-threatening opportunistic infection. Despite its clinical importance, very few therapeutic drugs against T. gondii are available. Furthermore, these therapeutic regimens are not always suitable for prolonged treatment due to adverse side effects as well as the potential of clinical failure by selecting drug-resistant parasite variants. Dictamnus dasycarpus is known to have many medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, and anti-rheumatic activities. In this study, 70% ethanol extract of Dictamnus dasycarpus showed anti-T. gondii effects. Ethanolic extracts of Dictamnus dasycarpus used to treat T. gondii were tested in vitro for their anti-T. gondii activity and cytotoxicity. The selectivity of Dictamnus dasycarpus extract was 7.52, which was higher than that of Sulfadiazine (2.08). We conducted an in vivo animal test to evaluate the anti-T. gondii activity of Dictamnus dasycarpus extract as compared with that of Sulfadiazine. In T. gondii-infected mice, the inhibition rate of Dictamnus dasycarpus extract was high, similar to that of Sulfadiazine. This indicates that Dictamnus dasycarpus extract may be a source of new anti-T. gondii compounds.

Onion peel water extracts enhance immune status in forced swimming rat model / 한국실험동물학회지

Onion peel contains a high concentration of quercetin and other flavonoids. In this study, the potential immune-enhancing effects of an onion peel water extract (OPE) supplement were investigated by the rat forced swimming test. OPE was prepared using hot water. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a pellet diet for 1 week and were then randomly divided into six groups: normal control (NC), forced swimming control (FSC), positive control (quercetin 20 mg/kg), and three groups administered 4, 20, or 100 mg/kg of OPE. Oral drug administration was conducted daily for 4 weeks. All rats, except those of NC group, were forced to swim in water and were considered exhausted when they failed to rise to the water surface to breathe within a 7-s period. Blood lymphocyte counts, immune organ weights, histopathological analysis, and serum interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-12 levels were determined. OPE-treated rats consumed more food and had an increased thymic cortex to medulla ratio than that observed in FSC group rats (P<0.05). The area of the white pulp in the spleens of OPE-treated group rats was increased compared with that in FSC group rats (P<0.05). Furthermore, blood lymphocyte numbers and IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-12 concentrations were significantly higher in OPE-fed groups than in FSC group (P<0.05). These results suggest that an OPE supplement can improve the immune status by increasing the number of immune-related cells and specific cytokine levels.

Anticoccidial effects of the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz extract on experimental Eimeria tenella infection / 한국실험동물학회지

Anticoccidial effects of the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz (Rutaceae) extract (DDE) were evaluated in chickens following oral infection with Eimeria (E.) tenella. Three-day-old chickens (n=30) were assigned to three groups (control, untreated, and DDE 0.1% treated). Chickens were fed a standard diet supplemented with or without DDE for 1 week prior to infection with E. tenella (10,000 sporulated oocysts per chicken). The effects of DDE on E. tenella infection were assessed by two parameters; fecal oocysts shedding and body weights gain. The DDE-fed chickens produced significantly reduced fecal oocysts (P<0.05) when compared to the E. tenella-infected group fed standard diet. Also, DDE-based diet, improved body weight loss caused by E. tenella infection. Our data demonstrated that DDE had remarkable anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. This finding might have implications for the development of anticoccidial drug. This study is the first to demonstrate anticoccidial effect of DDE on Eimeria parasites.

Effects of cold stress as a pathogenic factor on fatal disease progression of canine herpesvirus / 동물의과학연구지

Canine herpesvirus (CHV) is a member of the alphaherpesvirus subfamily, which can cause severe hemorrhagic diseases in neonatal pups as well as mild or subclinical respiratory infections in adult dogs. We examined the effects of cold stress on disease progression of CHV, an alphaherpesvirus, in neonatal puppies. Eight puppies were challenged intranasally with CHV suspension and divided into a cold stress treatment group and a hyperthermal group. Four pups were left uninoculated as controls and divided into cold and hyperthermal groups. In the challenged cold treatment group, all pups showed CHV-related disease within 5 days; pathological changes were observed in organs of puppies showing clinical symptoms. Grossly, numerous petechial red foci were scattered throughout lungs, kidneys, livers, and intestines of all CHV-infected puppies exposed to cold stress. Most puppies showed typical clinical signs and macroscopic lesions, and CHV infection was confirmed by isolation of the virus. However, in the challenged hyperthermal group, only one of the pups showed mild symptoms of CHV-induced disease. None of the puppies in the uninoculated group showed abnormal signs, although they were exposed to cold stress. These findings indicate that cold stress can cause rapid disease progression of CHV, an alphaherpesvirus.

Usefulness of a Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test for diagnosing H. pylori infected C57BL/6 mice / 한국실험동물학회지

Among several diagnostic tests, a Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test may offer a useful noninvasive method for diagnosing infection without sacrificing animals. In this study, male C57BL/6 mice (n=6) were infected with H. pylori ATCC 49503 (1x10(8) CFU/mouse) by intragastric inoculation three times at 2-day intervals, and H. pylori infected stool specimens were collected 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 days after infection to assess reliability of the HpSA test. Five of six specimens were positive at 5-21 days after infection, and the sensitivity of the HpSA test was 83.33%. The presence of H. pylori infection was confirmed by the rapid urease test and genomic DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and showed the same results as the HpSA. However, the rapid urease test and genomic DNA PCR are invasive tests and require animal sacrifice to detect H. pylori in gastric biopsy samples. We suggest that an HpSA test kit would be useful and effective for monitoring H. pylori in various laboratory animals, as H. pylori can be easily monitored without sacrificing animals.

A sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction to detect Mycoplasma hyopnemoniae using Mycoplasma protein P97 gene / 동물의과학연구지

Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae is the causative agent of swine enzootic pneumonia, a disease that is prevalent in every country where pigs are raised. In this study, we aimed to develop a sensitive and specific PCR assay to detect M. hyopneumoniae in pigs. The suitability of this PCR assay for the detection of mycoplasmal infection was also tested using clinical lung samples from slaughtered pigs. We developed a probe and M. hyopneumoniae-specific primer pairs, MhyoP-F and MhyoP-R, for the new PCR assay based on regions in the Mycoplasma protein P97 gene that are unique to M. hyopneumoniae. The developed PCR assay was very specific and sensitive for the detection of M. hyopneumoniae. The assay was able to detect the equivalent of 10 pg of target template DNA, which indicates that the assay was very sensitive. In addition, the M. hyopneumoniae PCR assay detected only M. hyopneumoniae and no other Mycoplasma spp. or bacterial species of another genera. Further, the newly developed PCR assay effectively detected M. hyopneumoniae infection in pigs. We suggest that this PCR assay using M. hyopneumoniae-specific primer pairs, MhyoP-F and MhyoP-R, will be useful and effective for monitoring M. hyopneumoniae infection in pigs.

Red ginseng extract increases the functional components of silkworm Bombyx mori L. used as an anti-diabetes medicinal resource / 동물의과학연구지

The anti-diabetes mechanism of silkworm Bombyx mori L. powder and extracts was found to inhibit the activity of alpha-glycosidase. The major functional component of silkworm powder was 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), which exerts a blood glucose-lowering effect. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of the supplements, including red ginseng extract on the functional components of silkworm. Fifty silkworm larvae were divided into the control group (Con, N=50), group A (A, artificial diet 95% and mulberry leaf powder 5%), group B (B, artificial diet 95% and mulberry powder 5%), group C (C, artificial diet 95% and Rubus coreanus remainders 5%), group D (D, artificial diet 95% and red ginseng extract 5%), and group E (E, artificial diet 95% and yeast powder (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Body weights and length of silkworm larvae showed significant improvement in group A, D. In particular, the growth rate in group D (artificial diet 95% and red ginseng extract 5%) was larger than that of Con. In addition, the results showed that 1-DNJ concentration was significantly largest in group D. From these results, it is concluded that the addition of red ginseng extract may be effective for larval growth and 1-DNJ accumulation in silkworm rearing with an artificial diet.

Effects of onion peel water extracts on swimming endurance in rat / 동물의과학연구지

Onion (Allium cepa L.) contains high levels of dietary fibers and antioxidants, including vitamin C, D, and folates. Onion is also known as a quercetin-rich vegetable with high flavonoid content. Onion peel contains over 20 times more quercetin than onion flesh. The aim of this study was to examine the question of whether onion peel extract supplementation has an effect on maximal exercise performance in rat. Onion peel extracts were extracted with hot water. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were maintained on a pellet diet for one week, and then randomly divided into five groups: Normal control, Positive control (quercetin 20 mg/kg), Onion peel 4 mg/kg, Onion peel 20 mg/kg, and Onion peel 100 mg/kg. Oral administration was performed daily. The experimental period was four weeks. Thereafter, animals were then forced to swim in water and the maximal exercise performance period from the swimming start time to the exhausted time, in which they failed to rise to the surface of the water to breathe within a 7 second period, was measured. After necropsy, weights of gastrocnemius muscles were measured. Lactate dehydrogenase concentration in serum was measured using an enzymatic method, using a commercial kit. The maximal exercise performance period was significantly longer in the onion peel extracts fed groups, compared with the control group. The lactate dehydrogenase concentration of the onion peel extracts fed groups was significantly lower, compared with the control group. Based on these results, we suggest that onion peel water extract supplementation can enhance exercise capacity caused by the mechanism of decreasing lactate dehydrogenase concentration.

Anticoccidial effects of Galla rhois extract on Eimeria tenella-infected chicken / 한국실험동물학회지

Anticoccidial effects of Galla rhois (GR) extract were evaluated in chickens after oral infection with Eimeria tenella. This study was performed using 3-day-old chickens (n=30). The animals were divided into 3 groups as follows: GR 0.5%/infected (n=10), untreated/infected (n=10), and non-infected control (n=10). The chickens were fed a standard diet supplemented with or without GR for 1 week before infection with E. tenella (10,000 sporulated oocysts per chicken). The effects of GR on E. tenella infection were assessed by 2 parameters, number of fecal oocysts and body weight gain, and the results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GR-fed chickens produced significantly lower number of fecal oocysts (P<0.05) than the E. tenella-infected chickens who were fed the standard diet. In addition, GR-based diet improved the loss of body weight caused by E. tenella infection. Positive findings of PCR were identified by distinct bands in the samples of E. tenella-inoculated chickens. However, PCR analysis revealed no E. tenella oocysts in the feces of GR-fed chickens. Our data showed that GR extracts had remarkable anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. This finding might have implications for the development of novel anticoccidial drugs.

Molecular identification of Mycoplasma cynos from laboratory beagle dogs with respiratory disease / 한국실험동물학회지

In this study, we examined a colony of 20 beagle dogs in a laboratory animal facility. Mycoplasma was detected by consensus PCR assay in 1 dog with respiratory and constitutional symptoms. None of the other dogs were affected. The dog was euthanized and necropsied. In postmortem examinations, gray or plum-colored gross lesions were found on the lung, most commonly in the apical and cardiac lobes. Some lesions showed clear demarcation and consolidation. Microscopic examination showed peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia and interstitial thickening, lesions pathognomonic for mycoplasma pneumonia. To identify canine Mycoplasma species, we used species-specific PCR reactions for M. arginini, M. canis, M. cynos, M. edwardii, M. felis, M. gateae, M. maculosum, M. molare, M. opalescens, M. spumans, Mycoplasma sp. HRC 689, and M. collis. As the result, we identified Mycoplasma cynos by amplification of DNA extracted from lung tissue of the laboratory beagle dog with respiratory disease.