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PubMed2000

Endocarditis and meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis after cardiac surgery in a sheep.

A female Dorset-cross sheep developed labored respirations and was anorexic, weak, ataxic and febrile (42.0 degrees C) 15 days after implantation of a cardiac device. Clinical pathologic evaluation identified a mild leukocytosis (11,800 cells/microl), neutrophilia (8,969 cells/microl), and hypokalemia (2.9 mmol/L). Despite intensive therapy, the animal was euthanized 7 days later. Necropsy of the sheep revealed meningitis and vegetative endocarditis associated with the cardiac device. Blood cultures collected antemortem and tissue cultures collected at necropsy yielded Streptococcus suis. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of bacterial valvular endocarditis and meningoencephalitis. A variety of environmental and host factors are proposed as contributing to the infection, and the zoonotic potential of S. suis is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Helminths in dogs belonging to people in a resource-limited urban community in Gauteng, South Africa.

One hundred and sixty-four faecal samples, 148 adhesive tape swabs and 132 blood samples were collected from dogs in Boksburg, Gauteng, to assess the prevalence of helminth parasites in the area. Sixty-nine of these dogs were also necropsied and helminths recovered from the gastro-intestinal tracts. Ancylostoma caninum was the most common helminth and was present in 88% of the dogs, followed by Dipylidium caninum in 39% of dogs, Toxocara canis in 36%, Ancylostoma braziliense in 20%, Spirocerca lupi in 14%, Toxascaris leonina in 9%, Trichuris vulpis in 6%, Joyeuxiella pascualei in 6% and Taenia spp. in 4%. Microfilariae of Dipetalonema reconditum were found in 2% of the blood samples. The results of this study extend the geographic distribution of T. vulpis. With the exception of Spirocerca and Dipetalonema, all these helminths are potentially zoonotic, and may pose a threat to community health.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Immunology of inflammatory diseases of the bowel.

During the past century, research on animal diseases has focused on the characterization of specific etiologies and disease control strategies. Many diseases affecting domestic animals have been successfully controlled using various methods, including vaccination, management, vector control, or antimicrobial agents. A number of microorganisms have proven resistant to these efforts. Control of these organisms requires the development of new strategies. As practitioners and researchers, we need to consider approaches that encompass the entire realm of disease expression from molecular to immune responses and interactions with other functional systems (e.g., endocrine, neurologic, and vascular systems). We need a basic understanding of effective immune responses enabling the tailoring of vaccines to produce the desired response. This tailoring of host responses is augmented by the use of vaccines that use host growth factors, cytokines, or costimulatory molecules to bias the ensuing response. Intestinal microbial flora of food-producing animals can be managed to optimize health and minimize colonization by pathogenic organisms, especially zoonotic agents. New systems for the delivery of cytokines and other factors that favor optimal intestinal health and homeostasis need to be researched and evaluated. With time, it is likely that our clients and the consumers will be less tolerant of antibiotic usage. They will be more aware of the zoonotic potential of many microbes that colonize food animals. Food safety issues will be a continuing concern, as will the protection of our water supply from contamination from feedlots and pasture runoff. We are in the dawn of a new century, and, it is hoped, a new era of discovery of enteric disease pathogenesis and control.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed2001

Tapeworm identification in the fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus obesus).

The identification of a tapeworm (Rodentolepis nana, formerly named Hymenolepis nana) infection in a research breeding colony of sand rats (Psammomys obesus obesus) was complicated because of the unexpected long length (< 150 mm) of the worms. Other morphologic features that were consistent with this identification included the number (24), size (16 mm), and shape of the hooks on the rostellum. No evidence of intermediate hosts was found in the colony. Previous surveys of natural populations of sand rats had not identified this tapeworm. However, a detailed search of the literature revealed that variation in the size of R. nana had been reported, thus supporting the final identification of the tapeworm. R. nana is important and interesting because of its zoonotic potential and because it is the only tapeworm that is able to infect its definitive host without use of an intermediate host. This report is presented to help clarify the ambiguity found in the laboratory animal literature about the differences in the size of R. nana among rodent species used in research.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Hantaviruses: an overview.

Hantaviruses are a newly emerging group of rodent-borne viruses that have significant zoonotic potential. Human infection by hantaviruses can result in profound morbidity and mortality, with death rates as high as 50%, and potentially long-term cardiovascular consequences. Hantaviruses are carried by peridomestic and wild rodents worldwide and have occasionally been linked to infections in laboratory rodents. Because these viruses have been associated with significant human disease, they have become the subject of intense scientific investigation. In this review the reader is introduced to the hantaviruses, including hantavirus diseases and their pathogenesis. A review of the biology, morphology, and molecular biology of the hantaviruses with a brief overview of the ecology and biology of hantavirus-rodent pairs is also included. The risks of occupational exposure to hantaviruses, diagnosis of hantavirus infections, and methods for handling potentially infected rodents and tissues are discussed as well.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus by use of fluorogenic nuclease reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) induces persistent infections in laboratory mice; is a known contaminant of biological materials, such as transplantable tumor cell lines; and is of great concern in animal facilities due to its zoonotic potential. Fluorogenic nuclease reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (fnRT-PCR) assays combine RT-PCR with an internal fluorogenic hybridization probe, thereby potentially enhancing specificity and eliminating post-PCR processing. An fnRT-PCR assay specific for LCMV was, therefore, developed by targeting primer and probe sequences to a unique region of the LCMV nucleocapsid (NP) gene. The LCMV fnRT-PCR assay detected only LCMV and did not detect other RNA viruses that naturally infect rodents. The fnRT-PCR assay detected as little as one picogram of LCMV RNA, but was 100-fold less sensitive when directly compared with the mouse antibody production test. The fnRT-PCR assay was also able to detect viral RNA in numerous tissues and in feces and cage swipe specimens collected from experimentally inoculated BALB/c mice, but did not detect any viral RNA in similar samples collected from age- and strain-matched mock-infected mice. In conclusion, the LCMV fnRT-PCR assay offers a potentially high-throughput diagnostic assay to detect LCMV in mice and contaminated biological materials.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Prevalence of Toxocara spp in public playgrounds in a town of Central Italy]

In this study, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. was evaluated in the soil of 22 public playgrounds of Ancona (Italy). The public playgrounds were selected according to the different areal distribution (centre, low-lying areas centre, hilly areas suburbs) within the urban area of Ancona, central Italy. In six playgrounds there were signs restricting access for dogs; all of them were frequented by children. Parasites were found in the soil samples from 21 out of 22 playgrounds (95.5%). The most prevalent helminth found was Toxocara canis, the common roundworm of dogs. It was detected in the soil samples from 12 (54.5%) playgrounds. This study showed a low frequency of the other parasites. Our data highlight the need for improved knowledge of the relationship between humans and stray animals. Indeed several zooparasites have a role in the etiopathogenesis of common human diseases. The high environmental contamination frequency found underlines the necessity of prompt preventive public health measures, such as control of stray animals, treatment of infected pets and hygiene education of the population to increase awareness of potential zoonotic hazards.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC)].

Infections with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) cause colibacillosis, an acute and mostly systemic disease resulting in significant economic losses in poultry industry worldwide. Avian colibacillosis is a complex syndrome characterized by multiple organ lesions with airsacculitis and associated pericarditis, perihepatitis and peritonitis being most typical. Environmental factors as well as the constitution of poultry or initial viral infections influence the outcome of APEC-infections. However, several challenge experiments in chickens proofed the role of virulent APEC strains as the single aetiological agent. Currently serotypes O1:K1, O2:K1 and O78:K80 are recognized as the most prevalent, however the number of published serotypes is increasing. In addition, single APEC isolates vary profoundly in virulence, and knowledge about the molecular basis of this variability is still scarce. Known virulence factors of APEC are adhesins (F1- and P-fimbriae), iron acquisition systems (aerobactin and yersiniabactin), hemolysins (hemolysinE and temperaturesensitive hemagglutinin), resistance to the bactericidal effects of serum and phagocytosis (outer membrane protein, iss protein, lipopolysaccharide, K/1)-capsule and colilcin production) as well as toxins and cytotoxins (heat stable toxin, cyto-/verotoxin and flagella toxin). Esperimental studies have shown that the respiratory tract, principally the gas-exchange region of the lung and the interstitium of the air sacs are the most important sites of entry for avian pathogenic E. coli. APEC strains adhere to the epithelial cells of air sacs presumably through F1-fimbriae. After colonization and multiplication the bacteria enter the bloodstream, and the temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (tsh) seems to be important int his step. After invading the bloodstream APEC cause a septicemia resulting in massive lesins in multiple internal organs and in sudden death of the birds. The ability of the bacteria to acquire iron and the resistance to the bactericidal effects of serum, predominantly conferred by the increased serum survival (iss)--protein, enables APEC to multiply quickly in their hosts. Iss is regarded a specific genetic marker for avian pathogenic E. colistrains. A critical review of the literature published so far on APEC reveals, that these pathotypes are not defined appropriately. This findings urge investigations on the population structure of APEC, enabling the establishment of appropriate diagnostic tools and avoiding the obsolete use of serotyping for APEC diagnosis. So far more than 20 APEC strains have been investigated in animal experiments, explaining contrary published results. Thus, the lack of knowledge in pathogenicity and in immunity of APEC infections urges further experimental studies. As APEC share not only identical serotypes with human pathogens but also specific virulence factors, their zoonotic potential is under consideration.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗
PubMed2003

Echinococcosis: disease, detection and transmission.

Echinococcosis is one of the world's most geographically widespread parasitic zoonoses, with transmission occurring in tropical, temperate and arctic biomes. Most human infections are due to Echinococcus granulosus transmitted between domestic dogs and livestock, but this cosmopolitan species also cycles between wild carnivores (principally canids) and wild ungulates. The other species with significant zoonotic potential is E. multilocularis that occurs naturally in fox definitive hosts and small mammal intermediate hosts. These two species cause human cystic or alveolar echinococcosis respectively, which may be considered serious public health problems in several regions including developed countries. This review provides an introductory overview to the Supplement and summarises the biology and epidemiology of these two related cestodes with an emphasis on applied aspects relating to detection, diagnosis and surveillance in animal and human populations, and includes aspects of transmission ecology, and also considers aspects of community epidemiology and potential for control.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Histopathological diagnosis of mycoses in veterinary pathology].

Histopathological analysis demonstrates the morphology of the fungi and shows their relationship with tissue lesions, which is a valuable information in the diagnosis of veterinary mycoses, especially in superficial infections where reservoirs make difficult the diagnosis using other techniques. On the other hand, histopathological analysis should be complementary to other methods such as culture, immunohistochemistry, serology, PCR, etc. In this work, the most relevant histopathological features of some of the most common mycoses of domestic animals, some of which have zoonotic potential, are described and their differential diagnosis is discussed. To facilitate the discussion of the differential diagnoses, mycoses have been grouped by the sites of the infections and by the nature of the fungi (dimorphic and filamentous). Mycoses included in the study were 1) Superficial and deep infections: dermatophytosis, dermatophytic pseudomycetoma, eumycotic mycetoma, phaeohyphomycosis and malasezziasis. 2) Systemic mycoses: aspergillosis and zygomycosis. 3) Mycoses due to dimorphic fungi: candidiasis, cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, coccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis. 4) Infections by algae and other fungi: protothecosis and pneumocystosis.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1992

Mycobacterium bovis infection in a captive herd of Sika deer.

Infection with Mycobacterium bovis was diagnosed in a small privately owned herd of Sika deer. After postmortem examination of a deer with progressive pulmonary disease, diagnosis of infection with M bovis was confirmed by bacteriologic culture. The 2 remaining deer in this herd were euthanatized, necropsied, and confirmed to be infected with M bovis. Three cats in contact with the deer were also euthanatized and necropsied. One of these cats had lesions suggestive of mycobacterial infection in the colon and mesenteric lymph nodes. Infection of this cat with M bovis was not confirmed by bacterial culture. Mycobacteriosis, infrequently encountered in clinical veterinary practice, may be confused with disease caused by other infective agents or neoplasia. The zoonotic potential of these bacteria and a recent increase in human tuberculosis warrants continued surveillance of companion and food animal populations for mycobacterial infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Specified pathogen-free poultry flocks: the current situation].

Before the implementation of strategies to establish specified pathogen-free commercial poultry flocks, the ultimate goals need to be identified: 1) consumer protection by minimizing the risk for zoonotic diseases and food-borne pathogens, and/or 2) animal health protection against primary and secondary pathogens. The success for the establishment of specific pathogen-free poultry flocks depends on the biological characteristics, the epidemiological distribution and the transmission route of each pathogen. For zoonotic pathogens such as Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni or the high pathogenic avian influenza virus, eradication has to be ultimate goal. Despite tremendous control efforts in field, only partial control of these pathogens has been achieved so far. In the future it will be necessary to continue these eradication efforts by combining optimized hygiene programs at all production levels with intensive monitoring and immunoprophylaxis. For primary pathogens affecting the health condition of poultry without known zoonotic potential, such as Salmonella Gallinarum, avian Mycoplasma or leucosis virus, specified pathogen free flocks have been established on the parent and grandparent level. In order to achieve a status free of these pathogens, rigid hygiene control, especially on the hatchery level and monitoring programs combined with elimination of pathogen- and antibody-positive birds were implemented. Nevertheless, the economically most important diseases of modern poultry production are of multifactorial origin. Ubiquitous secondary pathogens in combination with insufficient management or immunosuppressive agents induce great economic losses for the poultry producers. These secondary pathogens can not be eliminated due to their ubiquitous distribution. In the future only a reduction of these factorial diseases will be possible combining hygiene management and optimization of poultry husbandry. For the establishment of specified pathogen free poultry flocks in the field, risk analysis is necessary and the structure of poultry production has to be considered before and eradication program can be carried out successfully.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2005

Isolation, phage typing and antibiogram of Salmonella from man and animals in northeastern India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Salmonella is an important zoonotic pathogen and its prevalence in the animals acts as a continuous threat to man. The present study was carried out to report the isolation along with the serotypes, phage types and antibiogram pattern of Salmonella among man, livestock and poultry in the northeastern India. METHODS: A total of 654 samples from diarrhoeic livestock and humans were processed for the isolation of Salmonella. All the isolates were subjected to antibiogram studies against 15 antimicrobials. Representative isolates of S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis were phage typed. RESULTS: Ninety five isolates of Salmonella enterica belonging to 5 serotypes- S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Gallinarum, S. Paratyphi B and S. Bareilly were obtained with an overall prevalence rate of 14.40 per cent. S. Typhimurium isolates were distributed among four phages- DT003, DT004, DT096 and DT193 and all the S. Enteritidis isolates belonged to a single phage type, PT13a/7. Interspecies sharing of the phages was observed. Norfloxacin, enrofloxacin, gentamycin and ciprofloxacin were most effective, whereas, doxycycline, ampicillin, amoxycillin and tetracycline were relatively less effective. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that three of the five serovars as well as some of the phage types of these serovars were shared by animals and humans indicating the zoonotic potential of the organism. Thus, it is imperative that salmonellosis control measures adopted for humans should give adequate importance to its control in the animals particularly their products.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Intestinal nematode infections in Turkish military dogs with special reference to Toxocara canis.

The prevalence and potential zoonotic risk factors of intestinal nematodes of military working dogs, which are used for different military purposes, were assessed. Faecal samples from 352 defined-breed Turkish military dogs were investigated and 107 (30.4%) dogs were found to be infected with one or two nematode species. The following nematodes, with their respective prevalences, were diagnosed in the faecal samples: Toxascaris leonina (21.8%), Toxocara canis (13.3%), Trichuris vulpis (2.9%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (1.2%). Toxocara canis infections were more frequently seen in puppies (0-6 months old). The prevalence of T. canis was significantly higher in male than in female dogs and also higher in dogs which were exercised daily than in those without exercise. The highest prevalence was found in Belgian malinois breed dogs. Toxocara canis infections were not influenced by the floor type of the kennels (i.e. concrete or soil floor). There was no difference in the occurrence of T. canis infection when the last anthelmintic treatment was carried out less or more than 3 months prior to sampling. It is suggested that T. canis infected military dogs would be a threat not only for dog trainers but also for military personnel, notably during national and international operations.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Parasitic zoonoses in Japan, with special reference to the current topics].

The present situation of parasitic zoonoses in Japan is reviewed. A total of 51 species, i.e., 6 species of protozoan parasites, 14 species of trematode parasites, 11 species of cestode parasites, 18 species of nematode parasites and 2 species of acanthocephalan parasites are potential zoonotic parasites. Most (11 species) of the zoonotic nematodes provoke larva migrans. Habitats of zoonotic parasites vary greatly depending upon individual species. Some parasites cause heterotopic parasitism (e.g., Paragonimus westermani) and metastasis (Entamoeba histolytica). In larva migrans, parasites migrate through various parts of body tissues, affecting multiple organs (gnathostomiasis and sparganosis mansoni). The majority of parasitic zoonoses are food-borne infections. Some of them are an arthropod-borne (or -mediated) infection (dirofilariasis, thelaziasis and moniliformiasis), or acquired by percutaneous infection with cercariae (schistosome cercarial dermatitis) or 3rd-stage infective larvae (hookworm diseases). The diagnosis of parasitic zoonoses, especially larva migrans, is difficult; although some unique clinical symptoms and the presence of eosinophilia and/or increased level of serum IgE antibody are frequently seen in larva migrans, the application of various immunodiagnostic methods is usually required. For the prevention and control of parasitic zoonoses, the ingestion of not only strange food (e.g., snakes, frogs, slugs, etc.) but also raw fish and cuttlefish (sashimi) must be prohibited. Fishes and the meat of wild animals (e.g., bear and wild boar) should be frozen or thoroughly cooked before eating. Pets and domestic animals play an important role as a direct or indirect source of infection with various parasitic zoonoses. The treatment of those animals and/or the eradication of intermediate hosts (or vectors) of the parasites are thus required.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in selected domestic and wild birds in Louisiana.

Prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni was determined in a selected population of domestic and free-living birds submitted for necropsy to the Louisiana State Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. The 445 cases examined included 13 orders of birds and yielded C. jejuni in 45 cases, representing an isolation rate of 10.1%. Prevalence was highest in Galliformes (25.2%), followed by Anseriformes (12.9%) and Columbiformes (8.3%). Only one isolation was made out of 179 Psittaciformes examined. Penner serotypes 1, 2, 4, and 16 were most commonly identified among the C. jejuni isolates. This study emphasizes the importance of Galliformes as reservoirs of C. jejuni. The commonality of these serotypes with isolates derived from humans suggests the zoonotic potential of Galliformes in relation to human campylobacteriosis. The isolation rate of 12.9% in Anseriformes implicates free-living and migratory waterfowl as carriers of C. jejuni. Results confirm that Psittaciformes represent a low risk of C. jejuni infection in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Human amoebiasis: cultivation and experimental transmission in animals.

In vitro cultivation was carried out on an initial strain of Entamoeba histolytica from human source. Dysphasic medium was used and concentrations of horse serum and antibiotic varied in response to developments. Experimental infection of dogs, rabbits and mice was carried. Except for the controls, all animals were orally infected and monitored until the experiment was terminated. Parasitaemia became evident as from the 6th day in dogs experimentally infected and until about the 20th day when lower parasitaemia were obtained. Characteristic erosions were observed at autopsy. The tests in rabbits and mice showed that the strain used in this experiment was virulent. This paper highlights both the virulent nature of this parasite on other animals and its zoonotic potential.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Proliferative colitis in a pet ferret.

A 4-month-old male ferret was examined because of mucus-laden diarrhea of several days' duration. The diarrhea became bloody and the ferret became progressively anorexic and lost weight. Treatment with antibiotics did not result in amelioration of clinical signs. A biopsy specimen was obtained from the colon, which was thick and turgid. Proliferative colitis associated with Campylobacter sp infection was diagnosed histologically. Because of the poor prognosis and potential zoonotic hazard associated with Campylobacter, the ferret was euthanatized.

Animals↗