Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in Raccoon Dogs and Badgers in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

A total of 55 samples of intestinal contents from 28 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and 27 badgers (Males anakuma) in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan, were examined for the presence of Campylobacter species. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis were isolated from 3.6% (n = 1) and 75% (n = 21) of raccoon dogs, respectively. In contrast, no Campylobacter spp. was isolated from the badgers examined. The C. upsaliensis isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 8 antimicrobial agents. This revealed that most of the isolates from raccoon dogs were susceptible to the antimicrobial agents examined, whereas strains isolated from healthy dogs in Miyazaki prefecture, showed high rates of resistance. Virulence genes (flaA, cadF, ciaB, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC) were present in the C. jejuni isolate from a raccoon dog, with the exception of flaB. By contrast, all these virulence genes examined were present in all C. upsaliensis strains isolated from raccoon dogs and dogs. The genetic diversity of those isolates based on the nucleotide sequences of 7 housekeeping genes (adk, aspA, atpA, glnA, glyA, pgi, tkt) was compared with that of C. upsaliensis strains isolated from dogs and strains selected randomly from humans and dogs deposited in the Campylobacter MLST database. The major cluster of raccoon dog strains was separated from both human and dog strains by phylogenetic tree analysis. These results suggest that raccoon dogs are a reservoir of C. upsaliensis and that isolates may represent a population different from that in humans and dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to have demonstrated a high prevalence of C. upsaliensis in raccoon dogs.

Worries and concerns among healthcare workers during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic: a web-based cross-sectional survey

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) treating and caring for patients with emerging infectious diseases often experience psychological distress. However, the psychological impact and behavior change of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among HCWs are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the worries and concerns of HCWs regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsIn this cross-sectional survey, a web-based questionnaire was distributed among HCWs working in hospitals or clinics across Japanese medical facilities from April 20 to May 1, 2020. The questionnaire comprised items on demographics, worries and concerns, perceptions regarding the sufficiency of information, and behavioral changes pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. ResultsA total of 4386 HCWs completed the survey; 1648 (64.7%) were aged 30-39 years, 2379 (54.2%) were male, and 782 (18.1%) were frontline HCWs, directly caring for patients with COVID-19 on a daily basis. 3500 HCWs (79.8%) indicated that they were seriously worried about the pandemic. The most frequent concern was the consequence of becoming infected on their family, work, and society (87.4%). Additionally, the majority (55.5%) had restricted social contact and almost all HCWs endorsed a shortage in personal protective equipment (median, 8/9 (interquartile range; 7-9) on a Likert scale). There was no significant difference in the degree of worry between frontline and non-frontline HCWs (8/9 (7-9) vs. 8/9 (7-9), p=0.25). Frontline HCWs, compared to non-frontline HCWs, were more likely to have the need to avoid contact with families and friends (24.8% vs. 17.8%, p<0.001) and indicated that they cannot evade their professional duty during the COVID-19 pandemic (9/9 (7-9) vs. 8/9 (6-9), p<0.001). Further, the extremely low proportion of frontline HCWs reported that they would take a leave of absence to avoid infection (1.2%). ConclusionsBoth frontline and non-frontline HCWs expressed comparable concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Because HCWs, especially frontline HCWs, reported that they cannot be obliged to do avoid their duty, effective mental health protection strategies should be developed and implemented for HCWs.

Effect of Background Luminance Level on the Assessment of Color Visual Acuity Using Colored Landolt Rings in Young Healthy Subjects.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the color visual acuity (CVA) of young healthy subjects using colored Landolt rings and the effect of background luminance level on the CVA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured the CVA of 20 young healthy subjects (age: 23.8 ± 3.8 years) with different colors using a computer and a liquid crystal display, with 15 Landolt ring colors (30 cd/m2) with a background luminance of 30 cd/m2, and then 100 cd/m2. We then used different background luminance levels (15-50 cd/m2) using four Landolt ring colors (red, green-yellow, green, and blue-green) to evaluate the effect of the background luminance level on CVA. RESULTS: The CVA significantly differed among the colors with a background luminance of 30 cd/m2 (p < 0.0001). Green-yellow and blue-purple had poor CVA (high LogMAR value; 0.808 ± 0.107 and 0.633 ± 0.150, respectively) with a background luminance of 30 cd/m2 (same luminance as the Landolt rings). There were no significant differences in the CVAs among the colors with a background luminance of 100 cd/m2 (p = 0.5999). There were no significant difference in the CVA between background luminance 30 cd/m2 and other luminance level ranging from 28 to 32 cd/m2 for colors of red, green-yellow, green, and blue-green. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal that the background luminance of Landolt rings affects the CVA. Distinctive CVAs for each color are measured by equalizing the luminance between the Landolt ring and the background. We consider that the poor CVAs of these colors reflect the visual function of S-cone, because GY and BP are included in the confusion locus of tritan axis on the chromaticity diagram. We believe that CVA assessment may be useful for individuals who have known or suspected ocular dysfunction or color vision deficiencies.

Social Factors influenced the Discharge Destination and Length of Hospital Stay of Stroke Patients after Rehabilitation / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

The purpose of this study was to analyze the socioeconomic factors influencing patient discharge destination and the length of their hospital stay. We investigated 83 consecutive stroke patients admitted to our rehabilitation ward between January 1 and December 31, 2008. The mean age was 68.1 years old, the mean length of stay was 86.1 days, and 57% were men. The outcome for this study was the patient discharge destination, defined as home or a nursing home type of facility. To examine the predictors of the discharge destination, we collected data including patient age, sex, total Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores at discharge, ‘living alone’, ‘over 65 years old’, ‘requiring public assistance’, and ‘having a family member at home who requires nursing care’. In all, 69 patients were able to return home, and 14 patients were discharged to a nursing home type of facility. The home group showed a higher total FIM score (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that two factors, ‘living alone’ and ‘having a family member at home who requires nursing care’, adversely affected patient discharge to home. Also, the length of stay was longer among those patients who required public assistance (p<0.01). This study suggests that it is harder for patients to be discharged back to their homes who have these factors : ‘having a family member at home who requires nursing care’ and ‘living alone’. Additionally, having the patient characteristic of ‘requiring public assistance’ could prolong the length of hospital stay.