Survey of Francisella tularensis in Wild Animals in Japan in Areas Where Tularemia is Endemic

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2016 Sep 21;69(5):431-4. doi: 10.7883/yoken.JJID.2015.351. Epub 2015 Nov 13.

Abstract

Samples taken from 428 wild animals and 126 ticks, collected from a tularemia-endemic area in Japan between 2005 and 2013, were analyzed for the presence of Francisella tularensis. F. tularensis was isolated from a Japanese hare carcass whereas the samples from live animals and ticks were negative for F. tularensis by real-time PCR. Our results suggest that F. tularensis is still present in Japan although its prevalence is considerably low even in areas where tularemia is endemic.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild*
  • Endemic Diseases*
  • Francisella tularensis / isolation & purification*
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Ticks
  • Tularemia / epidemiology
  • Tularemia / veterinary*