RESUMEN
Blood samples from 1,822 dogs residing on Native American reservations in 10 states were collected between February 2004 and August 2007. Samples were examined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antigen capture test. All ELISA-positive samples were subsequently examined for microfilaremia. All dogs were asymptomatic for Dirofilaria immitis infection, resided outside (except for winter in the Northern latitudes), not on prophylaxis for D. immitis, and had not traveled off of the reservation. Reservations were characterized by degrees of north latitude, true prevalence of D. immitis, and a reproductive index calculated by multiplying the number of months of the year in which infective stage larvae (L(3)) could develop in 30 days or less for each reservation by the 30 yr mean annual rainfall in centimeters recorded for that community. The prevalence of heartworm was directly related to the reproductive index on each reservation.
Asunto(s)
Dirofilariasis/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Indígenas Norteamericanos , Área sin Atención Médica , Animales , Dirofilaria immitis/aislamiento & purificación , Perros , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalencia , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Serum samples were collected from a total of 544 equids that included 524 horses, 13 mules, and 7 ponies from various regions of mainland Greece and were examined by competitive-inhibition ELISA (cELISA) to evaluate the level of exposure of Greek equids to Theileria (Babesia) equi and/or Babesia caballi, the causative agents of piroplasmosis. Association between seropositivity and host-related factors of species, gender, age, origin, activity and location were investigated. The overall seroprevalence was 11.6% (9.1-14.6%) with 95% confidence limit. The seroprevalence for T. equi and B. caballi was found to be 11% (8.6-14%) and 2.2% (1.2-3.9%), respectively. The animal-related factors significantly linked with seropositivity were the species, activities of farming, racing, recreation, and geographic location in Attica, Macedonia, Peloponnese and Thessaly region (p<0.05). The relative risks for the presence of T. equi, B. caballi and mixed infection in mules compared to horses was 8.39, 33.58 and 40.31, respectively. The infection level for T. equi, B. caballi and mixed infection were significantly higher in farm equids than in racing equids (p<0.05). Also, the rate of infection of T. equi was higher in farm equids than recreational equids (p<0.05). The relative risk of T. equi infection between farming equids and equids used only for recreation activity was 3.25-1, while the relative risk of B. caballi infection was 0.14-1 for racing animals relative to recreation animals. The region with the highest level of infection to both parasites was Thessaly (38.8% T. equi and 6.1% B. caballi), followed by Peloponnese (10.4% T. equi and 3.9% B. caballi), Attica region (8.3% T. equi and 0.6% B. caballi) and finally Macedonia the region with the lowest prevalence (6.6% T. equi and 4.4% B. caballi). A higher seroprevalence rate was found among local animals compared to imported equids, indicating that equine piroplasm infection is enzootic in Greece. T. equi seroprevalence was significantly different and higher among increasing age groups of equids, suggesting persistent infections or lower transmission levels whereby animals may need to be exposed longer before acquiring the infection. Competent tick vectors Rhipicephalus bursa and Rhipicephalus sanguineus for the transmission of equine piroplasmosis were recovered from horses and dogs, respectively.
Asunto(s)
Babesia/aislamiento & purificación , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Animales , Babesia/inmunología , Babesiosis/sangre , Babesiosis/veterinaria , Femenino , Grecia/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/parasitología , Caballos , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Estudios SeroepidemiológicosRESUMEN
Heartworms can cause serious cardiopulmonary disease in their canid hosts. Canine heartworm has become widespread in many parts of the world, and its range continues to expand. Wildlife reservoirs play a role in perpetuation and transmission of this parasite to dogs. Human heartworm infection is incidental and is typically not associated with severe clinical disease; however, because no serological test is readily available, patients must undergo invasive procedures to differentiate heartworm from other more serious diseases. Human cases have been reported mainly in areas of high canine prevalence, highlighting the importance of heartworm testing and chemoprophylaxis in all dogs to reduce transmission. Future efforts should focus on the development of a non-invasive diagnostic test for people, and on epidemiological surveys for both animals and people.
Asunto(s)
Dirofilariasis/epidemiología , Dirofilariasis/transmisión , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/transmisión , Salud Pública , Animales , Dirofilaria immitis/patogenicidad , Dirofilariasis/diagnóstico , Dirofilariasis/prevención & control , Reservorios de Enfermedades/parasitología , Reservorios de Enfermedades/veterinaria , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Perros/prevención & control , Perros , Filaricidas/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Vigilancia de Guardia/veterinaria , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , ZoonosisRESUMEN
Imported human paragonimiasis has been reported in the United States. However, autochthonous cases are rare. We describe a case of probable Paragonimus kellicotti infection associated with ingestion of crayfish and review all autochthonous cases in this country.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Pulmonares Parasitarias/diagnóstico , Paragonimiasis/diagnóstico , Anciano , Animales , Astacoidea/parasitología , Resultado Fatal , Microbiología de Alimentos , Humanos , Enfermedades Pulmonares Parasitarias/complicaciones , Enfermedades Pulmonares Parasitarias/patología , Masculino , Nebraska , Paragonimiasis/complicaciones , Paragonimiasis/patología , Paragonimus/aislamiento & purificación , Choque Séptico/etiologíaRESUMEN
Two species of Bartonella, a novel Bartonella clarridgeiae-like bacterium and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, were isolated from rural dogs and gray foxes in northern California. A novel B. clarridgeiae-like species was isolated from 3 (1.7%) of 182 dogs and 22 (42%) of 53 gray foxes, while B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii was isolated from 1 dog (0.5%) and 5 gray foxes (9.4%). PCR and DNA sequence analyses of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene and the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region suggested that strains infecting dogs and gray foxes were identical. Fifty-four dogs (29%) and 48 gray foxes (89%) had reciprocal titers of antibodies against Bartonella spp. of > or =64. The high prevalence of bacteremia and seroreactivity to Bartonella spp. in gray foxes suggests that they may act as a reservoir species for the B. clarridgeiae-like species in this region. Domestic dogs were also tested for other arthropod-borne infectious agents. Fifty-one dogs (28%) were positive for Dirofilaria immitis antigen, seventy-four (40%) were seroreactive to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and five (2.7%) were seropositive for Yersinia pestis. Fourteen dogs (7.6%) were PCR positive for A. phagocytophilum. Polytomous logistic regression models were used to assess the association of Bartonella antibody titer categories with potential risk factors and the presence of other vector-borne agents in domestic dogs. Older dogs were more likely to be seroreactive to Bartonella spp. There was no association between the exposure of dogs to Bartonella and the exposure of dogs to A. phagocytophilum in this study.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Bartonella/veterinaria , Bartonella/aislamiento & purificación , Reservorios de Enfermedades/microbiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/microbiología , Zorros/microbiología , Vigilancia de Guardia/veterinaria , Anaplasma phagocytophilum/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antibacterianos/sangre , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Bartonella/inmunología , Infecciones por Bartonella/microbiología , California , Citrato (si)-Sintasa/genética , ADN Bacteriano/química , ADN Bacteriano/genética , ADN Espaciador Ribosómico/química , ADN Espaciador Ribosómico/genética , Dirofilaria immitis/inmunología , Dirofilariasis/inmunología , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Perros , Ehrlichiosis/veterinaria , Femenino , Masculino , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia , Yersinia pestis/inmunología , Zoonosis/microbiologíaRESUMEN
A study of the physiologic and ecologic factors involved in a spontaneous seasonal gallstone cycle of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus gambelii) was conducted at the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge (California, USA) from March 1991 to June 1992. The specific hypothesis examined was whether or not seasonal increases in dietary fiber intake provides the necessary conditions for a solubility defect, or supersaturation mechanism, resulting in precipitation of cholesterol gallstones. Results indicated that in addition to the seasonal gallstone prevalence cycle, these deer mice exhibit significant seasonal cycling in serum cholesterol, serum bile acids, fecal bile acids, and diet composition. These physiologic and dietary cycles were phase-advanced 3 mo over the gallstone prevalence cycle, indicating an approximate 3 mo time period for gallstone formation under field conditions. Further, seasonal dietary fiber (plant material and seeds) was positively correlated with both serum cholesterol and the fecal bile acids. This suggests that in wild deer mice, variations in dietary fiber may significantly affect the resorption of bile acids, thereby providing a potential physiologic and nutritional mechanism for spontaneous cholesterol gallstone formation.