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Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from asymptomatic and symptomatic dogs in Montevideo, Uruguay: characterization of MRSP strains and genetic determinants of resistance.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common opportunistic pathogen in dogs and an increasing concern in veterinary medicine due to rising antimicrobial resistance, particularly to methicillin. This study aimed to characterize resistance profiles and genetic mechanisms in isolates from healthy and diseased dogs in Montevideo, Uruguay. A total of 133 isolates was analyzed (83 from clinical infections and 50 from asymptomatic carriers). Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion following veterinary guidelines. Resistance genes and SCCmec types were detected by PCR. Ten representative isolates underwent whole genome sequencing. High resistance rates were observed for penicillin (81%), erythromycin (49.6%), and clindamycin (45%). Overall, 48.9% of isolates were multidrug-resistant. Phenotypic resistance to oxacillin was detected in 26% of isolates; however, 23% carried mecA gene and were therefore classified as genotypic MRSP. These isolates were more frequent among dogs with clinical infections. These strains showed higher resistance to all antimicrobials tested. SCCmec type V was the most prevalent, and greater genetic diversity was found among isolates from symptomatic dogs. Genomic analysis revealed circulating strains of unassigned sequence types (STs), a variety of resistance genes within specific lineages, the circulation of SCCmec XIV cassette carrying strains, and an Oxacillin-susceptible Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (OS-MRSP) isolate. These findings demonstrate the clinical and epidemiological relevance of S. pseudintermedius in Uruguay and the role of asymptomatic dogs as reservoirs of resistant strains. The results emphasize the need for surveillance, prudent antimicrobial use, and integrated control strategies within a One Health framework.

Animals↗

Metagenomic profiling of tick-borne viromes across four ecologically diverse provinces in China.

Ticks are important vectors of emerging viruses, and China's ecological landscapes may influence the transmission dynamics of tick-borne viruses (TBV). In 2021, a total of 2867 ticks collected from Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Hunan, and Hainan provinces were subjected to metagenomic sequencing to characterize TBV diversity. A total of eleven TBVs were identified, comprising three members of the family Phenuiviridae (severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Lihan tick virus, Dabieshan tick virus), three belonging to Nairoviridae (Huangpi tick virus 1, Shanxi tick virus 2, Henan tick virus), one in Chuviridae (Wuhan tick virus 2), one in Rhabdoviridaes (Wuhan tick virus 1), and three unclassified viruses (Hubei tick virus 2, Bole tick virus 4, and Tacheng tick virus 7). Viral composition varied significantly across tick species and geographic regions, with phylogenetic analysis revealing distinct regional clustering patterns. Notably, Lihan tick virus was detected for the first time in Hunan Province, Bole tick virus 4 was identified in argasid ticks from Inner Mongolia for the first time, and a novel lineage of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus was discovered in Shijiazhuang, Hubei Province. These findings underscore substantial TBV diversity shaped by tick species and geographic origin, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing surveillance to guide the development of targeted prevention and control strategies.

Animals↗

Gastrointestinal parasites of domestic cats in Perth, Western Australia.

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in a sample of domestic cats in Perth and the knowledge of their owners about the control and potential for zoonotic transmission of these parasites. Faecal samples (418), collected from cats originating from five sources, were examined by microscopy and questionnaires administered to cat owners. Forty randomly selected samples were also screened using PCR in order to detect cysts of Giardia and oocysts of Cryptosporidium that may have been present in a faecal sample at very low levels. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic cats by microscopy was 8.6%. Pet shop kittens had the highest parasite prevalence (34.3%), followed by cats and kittens from breeding establishments (15.8%), refuge cats and kittens (8.3%), privately owned cats (2.3%), and boarding cats and kittens (1.6%). Surprisingly, 80% of the 40 cats tested by PCR were positive for Giardia duodenalis and 10% for Cryptosporidium. None of these cats were positive on microscopy. After adjusting for other factors with multiple logistic regression, kittens less than 6 months of age, and cats living in households with more than one cat or with a dog were significantly more likely to be parasitised. In the logistic regression model, the presence of parasitism was also significantly influenced by the number of anthelmintic doses administered in the 12 month period prior to the study. The majority (64.5%) of cat owners were aware that feline parasites could be transmitted to humans, however less than half (42.8%) were aware of the modes of transmission to humans.

Age Factors↗

Molecular epidemiology of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections in dairy calves originating from three sources in Western Australia.

A longitudinal study was undertaken to determine the spread of naturally acquired Giardia and Cryptosporidium in dairy cattle in Western Australia. Samples were collected weekly from birth to weaning, and only calves that were sampled four or more times were included in the analysis. It was found that calves rapidly acquire infections with Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia, with Cryptosporidium being the first to appear within 1-3 weeks after birth whereas Giardia was most prevalent in calves 4-7 weeks of age. Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected in 48 and 89% of sampled calves, respectively. No significant association was observed in the present study between parasite occurrence and season or management practices (housing), and calf-to-calf contact appears to be the most likely source of transmission. Molecular characterization of isolates of Giardia and C. parvum recovered from calves demonstrated that only the occurrence Cryptosporidium represents a public health risk in terms of the potential for zoonotic transmission.

Age Factors↗

Sample prevalence and molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium andersoni within a dairy herd in the United Kingdom.

Bovine cryptosporidiosis is usually an acute diarrhoeal disease of young calves caused by Cryptosporidium parvum. However, chronic infection with Cryptosporidium andersoni has been associated with gastritis, reduced milk yield and poor weight gain in adult cattle. Here we describe the first genetic confirmation and characterisation of C. andersoni from cattle in the United Kingdom and its sample prevalence within a dairy herd. Oocysts measured 7.5+/-0.4 microm x 5.5+/-0.4 microm (7.0-8.5 microm x 4.5-6.5 microm) with a length-to-width ratio of 1.37 (1.08-1.60). The within-herd sample prevalence was 16% (95% confidence intervals=10.4-21.6%). Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis of the small subunit rDNA was used to confirm the species and characterise the isolates. Due to the lack of overt, acute, clinical symptoms, the incidence, prevalence and importance of this parasite is probably currently underestimated in cattle in the UK. The potential for zoonotic transmission is unknown.

Animals↗

Microsporidiosis in mammals.

Microsporidia are small, single-celled, obligately intracellular parasites that have caused significant agricultural losses and interference with biomedical research. Interest in the microsporidia is growing, as these organisms are recognized as agents of opportunistic infections in persons with AIDS and in organ transplant recipients. Microsporidiosis is also being recognized in children and travelers, and furthermore, concern exists about the potential of zoonotic and waterborne transmission of microsporidia to humans. This article reviews the basic biology and epidemiology of microsporidiosis in mammals.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

A seroprevalence and descriptive epidemiological study of malaria among Indian tribes of the Amazon basin of Brazil.

Data on the seroprevalences of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and P. malariae in four isolated Indian tribes of the Amazon basin in Brazil, as determined by IFAT, were re-analysed. Age-, sex- and tribe-specific geometric mean antibody titres and externally standardized prevalence ratios were calculated for each parasite species. Correlation coefficients and prevalence odds ratios were also calculated for multiple infections with different combinations of the three Plasmodium species. Titres of all but one of the antibodies studied were similar in males and females; titres of antibodies to the blood stages of P. malariae were slightly higher in females than in males. Titres of antibodies to all three Plasmodium species increased with subject age, and this age effect was not confounded by sex or tribal differences. There were striking differences between tribes, with the Parakana tribe having relatively low titres of antibodies against P. falciparum and P. malariae; these tribal effects were not confounded by sex or age differences between tribes. The results indicate that conditions conductive to the transmission of P. malariae exist in this region of the Amazon. The potential for zoonotic transmission of P. brasilianum, a parasite of monkeys which is morphologically similar to P. malarie, and the generally high rates of seropositivity to all three species of Plasmodium indicate that control measures which are adequate and applicable to the region studied need to be developed.

Adolescent↗

Pet animals as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Pet animal numbers have substantially increased in modern society and attention is increasingly devoted to pet welfare. Because of these changes, antimicrobial agents are frequently used in small animal veterinary practice, often including antimicrobial preparations used in human medicine, with heavy use of broad-spectrum agents such as aminopenicillins plus clavulanic acid, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. Several longitudinal studies conducted at veterinary hospitals have indicated that resistance to various antimicrobial agents has emerged amongst pet animal isolates of Staphylococcus intermedius, Escherichia coli and other bacteria, including species with a potential for zoonotic transmission and resistance phenotypes of clinical interest, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. Based on a review of the current literature, the role of pets in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance has been given little attention when compared with that of food animals. A marked contrast is evident between the current policies on antimicrobial usage in food and companion animals. Apart from a few countries where limited data on antimicrobial usage and occurrence of resistance in bacteria from pet animals are provided, national surveillance programmes only focus on food animals. However, data on pet animals are clearly needed for guiding antimicrobial use policy in small animal veterinary practice as well as for assessing the risk of transmission of antimicrobial resistance to humans.

Animals↗

Genetic diversity and recombination of porcine sapoviruses.

Sapoviruses (SaVs) are emerging enteric pathogens that cause diarrhea in humans and animals. Human SaVs are genetically variable and have been classified into four genogroups (GI, -II, -IV, and -V). To date, only two genetically similar porcine SaV strains have been reported that belong to GIII. To investigate the genetic diversity of porcine SaVs and their genetic relatedness to human strains, we sequenced 286 nucleotides (nt) of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region of nine porcine SaVs detected from field pig fecal samples collected in U.S. swine farms during the period from 1999 to 2003. One strain (Po/SaV/MI-QW19/2002/US) was most closely related to human GII SaVs. We also sequenced 3 kb of the viral genome, including the partial RdRp (766 to 790 nt), the complete capsid, the ORF2 and the 3'-untranslated region of four strains representative for the positive farms or for the distinct genetic clusters. From the sequence analysis of the complete capsid, we identified a potential new genogroup of porcine SaVs, with Po/SaV/OH-JJ681/00/US as the representative strain. Furthermore, two potential porcine SaV recombinants were identified. To our knowledge this is the first report of a porcine SaV strain more closely related genetically to human SaVs and the occurrence of porcine SaV recombinants. The presence of porcine SaVs more similar to human SaVs is a significant finding because of the potential for zoonotic infections or generation of porcine/human recombinants if intragenogroup human strains exist.

Animal Husbandry↗

Detection of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in granulomatous inflammation of reptiles: a retrospective study.

A retrospective study on reptile tissues presenting with granulomatous inflammation was performed to detect the possible presence of mycobacteria and chlamydiae in these lesions. Ninety cases including 48 snakes, 27 chelonians, and 15 lizards were selected. Mycobacteria were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and a broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. To detect chlamydiae, immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies against chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a Chlamydiales order-specific PCR and sequencing were applied. Acid-fast bacilli were found in 14 cases (15.6%) by ZN staining and in 23 cases (25.6%) by PCR. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of Mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MOTT). Chlamydial LPS antigen was observed within granulomas from five samples (5.6%), whereas the PCR screen revealed 58 positive cases (64.4%). Of these, 9 cases (10%) showed 98-99% similarity to Chlamydophila (Cp.) pneumoniae and 49 cases (54.4%) displayed a high similarity (88-97%) to the newly described "Chlamydia-like" microorganisms Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Simkania negevensis. Results from this study confirm, on the one hand, that MOTT are probably the most important infectious etiology for granulomatous inflammation in reptiles. On the other hand, they indicate that chlamydia infects reptiles and that Cp. pneumoniae should be considered an etiological agent of granulomatous lesions of reptiles. Because both MOTT and Cp. pneumoniae are human pathogens, the potential of zoonotic transmission from reptiles to humans has to be considered. In contrast, the significance of Chlamydia-like isolates remains completely open, and further studies are needed to evaluate their role.

Animals↗

Failure to identify alveolar echinococcosis in trappers from South Dakota in spite of high prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild canids.

Echinococcus multilocularis causes a rare but potentially lethal zoonotic disease in humans. This tapeworm has been known to be endemic in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans) within the northern United States since the 1960s. One purpose of this study was to provide recent data on the prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes and coyotes from eastern South Dakota. In a survey conducted from 1987 to 1991 and involving 137 foxes and 9 coyotes from this area, 74.5% of the foxes and 4 of the coyotes were infected. To assess the possible prevalence of alveolar echinococcosis in a group at presumptive high risk, we also conducted a serological survey of members of the South Dakota Trappers Association in 1990 and 1991. Serum samples from 115 trappers were evaluated for the presence of E. multilocularis antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests involving a purified antigen called Em2, a crude E. multilocularis antigen, and a recombinant E. multilocularis antigen called II/3-10. None of the trappers showed antibody evidence for the presence of E. multilocularis. Roughly half of the surveyed individuals had trapped more than 50 foxes during their life, and almost one-fourth had trapped more than 1,000 foxes.

Adolescent↗

Norwalk-like calicivirus genes in farm animals.

Viruses closely related to Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs) were recently found in stored stool samples from two calves (United Kingdom and Germany) and four pigs (Japan), sparking discussions about the potential for zoonotic transmission. To investigate if NLVs are commonly present in farm animals, pooled stool samples from 100 pig farms, 48 chicken farms, 43 dairy cow herds, and 75 veal calf farms from the Netherlands were assayed by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction amplification, using primers specific for the detection of NLVs from humans. NLV RNA was detected in 33 (44%) of the specimens from veal calf farms and two (2%) specimens from pig farms. Our data show that NLV infections until recently thought to be restricted to humans occur often in calves and sometimes in pigs. While zoonotic transmission has not been proven, these findings suggest that calves and pigs may be reservoir hosts of NLVs.

Animals↗

Hepatitis E virus sequences in swine related to sequences in humans, The Netherlands.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major cause of viral hepatitis in much of the developing world, has recently been detected in swine in North America and Asia, raising concern about potential for zoonotic transmission. To investigate if HEV is commonly present in swine in the Netherlands, pooled stool samples from 115 swine farms and nine individual pigs with diarrhea were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. HEV RNA was detected by RT-PCR and hybridization in 25 (22%) of the pooled specimens, but in none of the individual samples. RT-PCR amplification products of open reading frames 1 and 2 were sequenced, and the results were compared with published sequences of HEV genotypes from humans and swine. HEV strains from swine in the Netherlands were clustered in at least two groups, together with European and American isolates from swine and humans. Our data show that HEV in swine in the Netherlands are genetically closely related to HEV isolates from humans. Although zoonotic transmission has not been proven, these findings suggest that swine may be reservoir hosts of HEV.

Animals↗

Adventitious agents and smallpox vaccine in strategic national stockpile.

In keeping with current standards, we urge that old smallpox vaccines that were made in animal skin and are still a key part of our strategic national stockpile be tested for adventitious infectious agents. The advisory especially applies to viruses that have the potential for zoonotic transmission to human vaccine recipients.

Animals↗

Acute tularemia in three domestic cats.

Acute Francisella tularensis infection in 3 domestic cats was presumptively diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and lesions and confirmed by culturing or immunofluorescent demonstration of the organism. Clinical findings include marked signs of depression, oral/lingual ulceration, regional or generalized lymphadenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly, panleukopenia with severe toxic change of neutrophils, and hyperbilirubinemia with bilirubinuria. Lesions found at necropsy included icterus, oropharyngeal and lingual ulceration, multiple foci of necrosis in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and lung, and severe segmental or diffuse enterocolitis. Results of serologic testing for F tularensis was positive in only 1 of the 3 cats. The organism was cultured aerobically from several tissues, including aspirated bone marrow obtained before death in 1 cat. Results of an indirect fluorescent antibody test, performed on fresh and formalin-fixed tissues of all cats, were positive. Because of the severe clinical course, opportunity to evaluate therapeutic regimens was not possible. Until now, confirmed diagnosis of feline tularemia only has been made retrospectively, in instances when cats were suspected to have transmitted infection to human beings in whom the primary diagnosis was made. The findings in this report provide a basis for presumptive diagnosis that will help to minimize public health risk associated with this potentially fatal zoonotic disease.

Acute Disease↗

The pathoparasitology of the alimentary tract and pancreas of nonhuman primates: a review.

A review of the literature concerning the gross and histologic lesions associated with protozoal and metazoal parasitism in the alimentary tract and pancreas of nonhuman primates is presented. In addition, the natural history, morphology, life cycle, methods for diagnosis, and potential for zoonotic disease are reviewed briefly for each parasite discussed. The parasite species reviewed in detail are those most common or most likely to produce lesions in the alimentary tract and pancreas of the nonhuman primate host. All parasites, both pathogenic and nonpathogenic, in each major group (protozoa: flagellates, sarcodines, sporozoans, neosporans, and ciliates; and metazoa: trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans, and pentastomids) that have been reported in the nonhuman primate alimentary tract and pancreas are presented in tables.

Amebiasis↗

Contagious ecthyma in lambs and laboratory personnel.

Contagious ecthyma, diagnosed in three lambs, was transmitted to two researchers having direct contact with oral secretions from these lambs. Intracytoplasmic viral particles were demonstrated by electron microscopy in gingival biopsies from one lamb. Lamb to lamb transmission was most likely caused by use of a contaminated gavage feeding tube. Concern for the effects of this disease and Q fever on patients having contact with contaminated medical researchers prompted the formulation of safety guidelines to prevent potentially disastrous zoonotic disease.

Animals↗

The pathoparasitology of the alimentary tract and pancreas of nonhuman primates: a review.

A review of the literature concerning the gross and histologic lesions associated with protozoal and metazoal parasitism in the alimentary tract and pancreas of nonhuman primates is presented. In addition, the natural history, morphology, life cycle, methods for diagnosis, and potential for zoonotic disease are reviewed briefly for each parasite discussed. The parasite species reviewed in detail are those most common or most likely to produce lesions in the alimentary tract and pancreas of the nonhuman primate host. All parasites, both pathogenic and nonpathogenic, in each major group (protozoa: flagellates, sarcodines, sporozoans, neosporans, and ciliates; and metazoa: trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans, and pentastomids) that have been reported in the nonhuman primate alimentary tract and pancreas are presented in tables.

Acanthocephala↗