On April 21, 2008, four whooper swans were found dead at Lake Towada, Akita prefecture, Japan. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus of the H5N1 subtype was isolated from specimens of the affected birds. The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the isolate belongs to clade 2.3.2 in the HA phylogenetic tree.
In June, 1986, a pregnant pig (one of seven breeding pigs on a farm) gave birth to eleven piglets, four of which were stillborn. Subsequently, it was found that this sow had been anorexic during pregnancy. Of the seven remaining piglets, three exhibited weakness, emaciation and an awkward gait and all three died before they were fifteen days old. At the autopsy dark red and white spots were found in the lungs, liver, kidneys and lymph nodes. On histopathological examination, nonpyogenic encephalitis, serous catarrhal pneumonia, and characteristic necrotic lesions of the lymph nodes and liver were revealed. Using the enzyme-antibody method (Avidin Biotin Complex method) and the Giemsa stained stamp smears method, Toxoplasma gondii was found in the brain, lungs, liver and lymph nodes. Toxoplasma antibody examination revealed the pig had a titre of 1,024.
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