First molecular detection of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys in ticks from dogs in Cebu, Philippines.

Ehrlichia canis infection of dogs in the Philippines has been detected by serological and peripheral blood smear examination methods, but not by molecular means. Anaplasma platys infection in dogs has not yet been officially reported, although it is suspected to occur in the country. Thus, sensitive and specific molecular techniques were used in this study to demonstrate the presence of both E. canis and A. platys in the Philippines. A total of 164 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks was collected from 36 dogs. Seven tick samples were found positive with E. canis and one sample with A. platys. To further characterize these pathogens, molecular analyses based on citrate synthase and heat-shock operon genes were also performed. Philippine strains were found to be not divergent from strains from other countries. The present results are the first molecular detection and analyses of E. canis and A. platys in ticks from dogs in the Philippines.

<b>Study on Conditions to Increase the Domestic Production of Herbal Materials by Changing Crops Production from Tobacco </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Herb supplies can become unstable because of climate change and the economic development of herb exporters. In this paper, in order to increase the self-sufficiency of herbal resources we examined the possibil ity of changing to herb crop production from tobacco, for which demand is declining. Firstly, we considered demand, quality and the price of raw herb materials to make recommendations for corrections, and selected <i>Angelica </i>(A. ) <i>acutiloba </i>and <i>Bupleurum </i>(B. ) <i>falcatum </i>Linne. Next, we compared the profitability of tobacco and the herbs. Profit margins for <i>A. acutiloba </i>were less than for tobacco. It was thought that the profitability of <i>A. acutiloba </i>could become equivalent to tobacco if an adjustment subsidy were provided. The self-sufficiency rate for <i>A. acutiloba </i>would be one hundred percent with 35 million yen in every year. Although the profitabil ity of <i>B. falcatum </i>has exceeded tobacco, its selling price was about 3 times that of imports, while the price of medical <i>B. falcatum </i>was lower than its selling price. It was thought that the price competitiveness problem of <i>B. falcatum </i>can be covered if a production subsidy is provided, and to reach a 50 percent B. falcatum self sufficiency rate with 660 million yen per year.