Hiroshi Nagatomo

Serological survey of the Iriomote cat (Felis iriomotensis) in Japan.

The Iriomote cat (Felis iriomotensis) was first discovered on Iriomote Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Japan in 1965. Ten male and 11 female adult cats were captured during the 6 yr period from 1983 to 1988. These were examined for evidence of viral and mycoplasmal infections. Neither Mycoplasma sp. nor Ureaplasma sp. were detected in swab samples of oropharyngeal and urogenital regions. A foamy virus was isolated from the oropharyngeal swab of a female cat examined in 1988. Feline leukemia virus was not detected in any of the cats. All cats were negative for serum antibodies to feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus, feline immunodeficiency virus and rotavirus. Eleven of 19 (58%), 14 of 17 (82%) and 6 of 17 cats (35%) had serum antibodies against feline calicivirus, coronavirus and feline syncytium forming virus, respectively.

Isolation and Characterization of Mycoplasma columbinum and Mycoplasma columborale, Two New Species from Pigeons

Eighteen arginine-positive and 32 glucose-fermenting Mycoplasma strains were isolated from tracheas and oropharynxes of pigeons. Biochemical and serological studies revealed that these isolates were distinguished from all of the currently accepted Mycoplasma species and serogroups. The 18 arginine-positive pigeon strains appear to constitute a new species, for which the name Mycoplasma columbinum is proposed. The type strain of M. columbinum is MMP1 (= ATCC 29257 = NCTC 00000). The 32 glucose-fermenting pigeon strains constitute another new species, for which the name Mycoplasma columborale is proposed. The type strain of M. columborale is MMP4 (= ATCC 29258 = NCTC 00000).