Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in captive-bred Mustela putorius furo in Jiangsu Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and molecular features of Cryptosporidium in captive-bred Mustela putorius furo in Jiangsu Province.. Methods A total of 290 fresh stool samples were collected from a ferret farm in Jiangsu Province on May 2017, and the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene of Cryptosporidium was amplified in stool samples using nested PCR assay. The actin, cowp and gp60 genes were amplified in positive samples and sequenced to characterize Cryptosporidium species/genotypes. Results A total of 18 stool samples were tested positive for Cryptosporidium SSU rRNA gene, with a detection rate of 6.2%. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of SSU rRNA, actin and cowp genes characterized Cryptosporidium isolated from captive-bred ferrets as Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype. In addition, gp60 gene was amplified in 10 out of 18 stool samples tested positive for Cryptosporidium. Conclusions Cryptosporidium is widely prevalent in captive-bred ferrets in Jiangsu Province, and Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype is the only Cryptosporidium genotype in ferrets.

Commonly Used Vomiting Animal Models / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Vomiting is a common clinical symptom. Long-term severe vomiting could seriously reduce the life quality of patients, so it is necessary to be intervened with antiemetic drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in the treatment of vomiting with remarkable a curative effect. It has the advantages of multi-component, multi-target and multi-system synergistic antagonism. However, due to the active substance and unclear mechanism, it is urgent to adopt an internationally recognized vomiting model system to evaluate the antiemetic characteristics, elucidate the vomiting mechanism, and provide reference for better clinical application. Therefore, this paper systematically introduces several vomiting animal models that are widely used at home and abroad. According to the authors' own experimental experience, this paper focuses on the rat and mice pica models for reference of relevant researchers. Specifically, ferrets are an internationally recognized ideal vomiting animal model, and the golden standard for evaluating the effects of antiemetic drugs, suncus murinus is the smallest mammalian vomiting model. Rodents have no vomiting reflexes, but studies have shown that its pica behavior is equivalent to the vomiting behavior of other species. Because the easy availability and operation, the model has been promoted and applied in mainland China. Guizhou mini-pig model is a self-developed medium-sized mammalian vomiting model with a similar anatomical structure and vomiting characteristics to human, and worthy of popularization and application. In conclusion, different vomiting models have their own characteristics that need to be optimized according to the purpose of experiments and samples.

Ferret coronavirus infection in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) presented to a veterinary clinic with a clinical history of anorexia and poor body condition. Due to gradual deterioration of the body condition, explorative laparotomy was performed. Diffusely, the mesentery was severely thickened and adhered with prominent mesenteric lymph nodes. A portion of the mesentery and mesenteric lymph nodes were biopsied and fixed. Microscopic analysis revealed severe pyogranulomatous peritonitis and lymphadenitis, but staining revealed no bacterial organisms. However, immunohistochemistry for feline coronavirus exhibited strong immunoreactivity, primarily in the macrophages. Based on these results, the case was diagnosed as ferret coronavirus infection.

Quantitative measurement of influenza virus replication using consecutive bronchoalveolar lavage in the lower respiratory tract of a ferret model

The ferret is an established animal model of influenza virus infection. Although viral replication in the upper respiratory tract is usually measured with consecutively collected nasal washes, daily evaluation of viral replication in the lung is limited because a large numbers of ferrets need to be sacrificed at consecutive time points. To overcome this limitation, we performed a virus quantification assay using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. This non-invasive BAL technique allows consecutive quantification of virus replication in the lungs of living ferrets. Our method can be used for the longitudinal evaluation of virus tropism in the lower respiratory tract.

A case of metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in a ferret / 동물의과학연구지

Cholangiocarcinoma is a relatively rare neoplasm in animals and humans. A four-year-old, neutered male ferret presented with depression, anorexia, cachexia, diarrhea, and icterus. Necropsy findings included ascites, multiple white nodules on the surface of the liver, stomach, and duodenum, gross enlargement of the bile duct and right atrium, hemorrhage of the gastric and duodenal mucosa, and icterus of the mesenteric fat. Infiltrative well-differentiated neoplastic biliary epithelial cells forming ducts and acini with a prominent collagenous stroma were observed on microscopic examination of neoplastic lesions within the liver, mesentery, and the serosa of the stomach and duodenum. This is a report on a rare case of obstructive jaundice due to cholangiocarcinoma in a ferret.

Ocorrência de Dioctophyma renale em Galictis cuja / Occurrence of Dioctophyma renale in Galictis cuja

A dioctofimose é uma parasitose causada pelo Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782) de ocorrência mundial e acomete animais domésticos e silvestres. Em março de 2010, um exemplar adulto (macho) de Galictis cuja (Molina, 1782), encontrado morto por atropelamento no município de Guaíra, Paraná foi encaminhado ao laboratório de Patologia Veterinária de Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Campus Palotina, para a realização da necropsia. O cadáver apresentava bom estado nutricional e autólise moderada. Foram observados três exemplares de parasitos na cavidade abdominal, mas os rins encontravam-se preservados. Os parasitos foram fixados em formol acético e encaminhados ao laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária da UFPR para identificação. Os exemplares coletados foram identificados como Dioctophyma renale, sendo duas fêmeas, uma com 39cm de comprimento por 4mm de largura e a outra com 16cm de comprimento por 4mm de largura e, um macho com 16cm de comprimento por 3mm de largura. O presente trabalho relata a ocorrência de parasitismo por D. renale em G. cuja na região oeste do estado do Paraná.

Dioctophymosis is a parasitic disease caused by Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782) with a worldwide occurrence and affects domestic animals as well as wildlife. In March 2010, a ferret adult male, Galictis cuja (Molina, 1782), found dead by trampling in the county of Guaíra, state of Paraná, Brazil, was necropsied in the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory at Campus Palotina, Federal University of Paraná. The animal was in good nutritional condition and moderate autolysis. Three specimens of parasites were found in the abdominal cavity, but the kidneys were preserved. The parasites were fixed in acetic formaldehyde and sent to the Veterinary Laboratory of Parasitology, Campus Palotina, for identification. The parasites were identified as Dioctophyma renale, two females, one a 39cm long and 4mm wide and the other 16cm long and 4mm wide, and a male 16cm long and 3mm wide. This paper reports D. renale parasitism in G. cuja in the western of Paraná state, Brazil.

Anatomia ultrassonográfica dos linfonodos abdominais de furões europeus hígidos / Ultrasonographic anatomy of abdominal lymph nodes in the normal ferret

Nos últimos anos o furão (Mustela putorius furo) tornou-se um conhecido animal de estimação sendo observada uma população em constante crescimento no Brasil, e por conseqüência cada vez mais presente em clínicas veterinárias. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a anatomia ultrassonográfica dos linfonodos abdominais de furões-europeus hígidos. Foram utilizados 20 animais, dentre os quais nove eram machos e onze fêmeas, com idade média total de três anos. Localizaram-se em 100 por cento dos furões os linfonodos mesentéricos, em 55 por cento dos animais os linfonodos pancreático-duodenal e esplênico, em 20 por cento o linfonodo gástrico e em 5 por cento o linfonodo hepático. Conclui-se que a localização e características ultrassonográfica dos linfonodos abdominais em furões são muito similares aos linfonodos abdominais de gatos, sendo este estudo uma orientação preliminar para a localização dos linfonodos abdominais de furões hígidos.

In recent years the ferret (Mustela putorius furo) has become popular pet featuring a ever growing population in Brazil, and being increasingly found in veterinary clinics. This study aimed to evaluate the ultrasound anatomy of abdominal lymph nodes of healthy ferrets. We used 20 animals, nine of which males and eleven females, with overall mean age of three years. We located the mesenteric lymph nodes in 100 percent of the ferrets, the pancreatic-duodenal lymph nodes and the splenic ones in 55 percent, the gastric lymph node in 20 percent, and the hepatic lymph node in 5 percent. We measured their lengths. It is concluded that the location and sonographic characteristics of the abdominal lymph nodes in ferrets are very similar to the abdominal lymph nodes of cats. This is a preliminary orientation for the location of abdominal lymph nodes of healthy ferrets.

Chordoma in the Tail of a Ferret / 한국실험동물학회지

A chordoma is an uncommon tumor that originates from the remnants of the notochord and most commonly involves the cranial and caudal regions of the axial skeleton. Chordoma has been described in laboratory animals such as dogs, rats, minks, and ferrets. This report describes a case of a chordoma in the tail of a ferret. Grossly, a grayish-white, expansile, subcutaneous soft-tissue mass was observed in the tail. Histopathologically, the mass was a loosely placed, nodular, unencapsulated neoplasm within the dermis. In the mass, tumor lobules were intermingled with fibrous tissues. Fibrous tissues contained abundant extracellular basophilic material that was consistent with mucin. The tumor was composed of a close pack of adipocyte-like vacuolated cells (physaliferous cells). The cells were centrally or eccentrically located round nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm with large vacuoles. Immunohistologically, neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and S-100 protein. Based on histopathologic findings and special staining characteristics, this case was diagnosed as chordoma.

Occurrence of ferret enteric coronavirus in Brazil (Preliminary Report) / Ocorrência de coronavírus entérico de ferrets no Brasil - Nota Prévia

Ferret enteric coronavirus (FECV) is associated to the epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). In this study, we report the occurrence of this agent in four diarrheic stool samples of domestic ferrets, analyzed by negative staining transmission electron microscopy and a specific RT-PCR assay targeting the nucleocapsid (N) gene. These findings are the first report of FECV in Brazil and address the importance of this virus on the etiology of enteric disorders in ferrets.

Coronavírus entérico de furões (FECV) é associado à enterite catarral epizoótica (ECE) em furões (Mustela putorius furo). Neste estudo, relatamos a ocorrência deste agente em quatro amostras fecais diarreicas de furões domésticos, analisadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (contrastação negativa) e RT-PCR específica e direcionada ao gene de nucleocapsídeo (N). Estes achados constituem o primeiro relato de FECV no Brasil e remetem para a importância deste vírus na etiologia de quadros entéricos nestes animais.

Complete genome sequencing and analyses of rabies viruses isolated from wild animals (Chinese Ferret-Badger) in Zhejiang province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective Based on sequencing the full-length genomes of two Chinese Ferret-Badger, we analyzed the properties of rabies viruses genetic variation in molecular level to get information on prevalence and variation of rabies viruses in Zhejiang,and to enrich the genome database of rabies viruses street swains isolated from Chinese wildlife.Methods Overlapped fragments were amplified by RT-PCR and full-length genomes were assembled to analyze the nucleotide and deduced protein similarities and phylogenetic analyses of the N genes from Chinese Ferret-Badger,sika deer,vole,dog.Vaccine strains were then determined.Results The two full-length genomes were completely sequenced to find out that they had the same genetic structure with 11 923 nts including 58 nts-Leader, 1353 nts-NP,894 nts-PP,609 nts-MP,1575 nts-GP,6386 nts-LP, and 2,5,5 nts-intergenic regions (IORs),423 nts-Pseudogene-like sequence(ψ),70 nts-Trailer.Conclusion The two full-length genomes were in accordance with the propertms of Rhabdoviridae Lyssa virus by blast and multi-sequence alignment.Th nucleotide and amino acid sequences among Chinese strains had the highest similarity,especially among animals of the same species.Of the two full-length genomes,the similarity in amino acid level was dramatically higher than that in nucleotide level, so that the nucleotide mutations happened in these two genomes were most probably as synonymous mutations.Compared to the referenced rabies viruses,the lengths of the five protein coding regions did not show any changes or recombination,but only with a few-point mutations.It was evident that the five proteins appeared to be stable.The variation sites and types of the two ferret badgers genomes were similar to the referenced vaccine or street strains.The two strains were genotype 1 according to the multi-sequence and phyiogenetic analyses,which possessing the distinct geographyphic characteristics of China.All the evidence suggested a cue that these two ferret badgers rabies viruses were likely to be street virus that already circulating in wildlife.

Mammotrope heterogeneity in the pituitary gland of European ferret, M ustela putorius Juro: An immunoelectron-microscopic study.

Employing the superimposition technique of electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry ultrastructural heterogeneity of the mammοtropes in the pituitary gland of the European ferret, Mustela putorius furo, was studied. On the basis of the size of their secretory granules, the mammotropes were classified into three subtypes, type-I, type-II and type-Ill, which may correspond to different developmental or physiological states of a single cell type. Simultaneous study of mammotropes and somatotropes in several pairs of serial semithin sections demonstrated the occasional occurrence of bihormonal somatomammotropes/ mammosomatotropes which may represent a transitional stage of the progenitor stem-somatotrope during its differentiation into mammotrope; alternatively it may be a functional intermediate during the cross-transformation of somatotrope into mammotrope or vice versa.

Review and evaluation of vomiting animal models / 中国药理学通报

Only limited species of animals with vomiting reflex are available for the vomiting animal models. From 1980s some new vomiting models have been developed, such as in ferret, which is convinced its vomiting behavior is closest to human being; Suncus murinus(house musk shrew)is the smallest mammal used in vomiting model and the most sensitive animal to motion sickness; rat, although without vomiting reflex, but consuming non-nutritive substance such as kaolin(pica) can be considered to be an index of nausea and vomiting; mink, from the same genus as ferret, can be a substitute of ferret in vomiting model. It should be noted that the sensitivity profile to different emetic stimuli is species-dependent.