Article
Veterinary Sciences
Farhan Ahmad Atif, Saba Mehnaz, Muhammad Fiaz Qamar, Taleeha Roheen, Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Syed Ehtisham-ul-Haque, Muhammad Kashif, Mourad Ben Said
Summary: Canine anaplasmosis is a significant worldwide disease caused by Anaplasma platys and A. phagocytophilum with zoonotic implications. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs recognition and microscopic observation, while control strategies involve tetracyclines treatment, vector/reservoir detection, and prevention of iatrogenic/mechanical transmission.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Juan R. Ulloque-Badaracco, Enrique A. Hernandez-Bustamante, Esteban A. Alarcon-Braga, Miguel Huayta-Cortez, Ximena L. Carballo-Tello, Rosa A. Seminario-Amez, Alejandra Rodriguez-Torres, Donovan Casas-Patino, Percy Herrera-Anazco, Vicente A. Benites-Zapata
Summary: The study synthesized evidence on the seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in Latin America and the Caribbean. The overall seroprevalence was found to be 31.0%, with ocular infection, asymptomatic infection, and dog ownership being the main characteristics observed in seropositive individuals. The seroprevalence was higher in households with dogs and lower in studies including only adults. These findings can inform epidemiological surveillance strategies for the prevention and early detection of toxocariasis.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Danni J. Mitchell, Chelsea L. Reinhard, Stephen D. Cole, Darko Stefanovski, Brittany Watson
Summary: This study analyzed blood samples from 84 shelter-housed cats and found that 28.6% of the cats were exposed to toxoplasmosis. This research provides pilot data for further investigation into the prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection among shelter-housed felines.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Phanomsak Yukhet, Kittisak Buddhachat, Tirayut Vilaivan, Chaturong Suparpprom
Summary: A nucleic acid assay was developed for the specific identification of E. canis infection using a fluorescently labeled PNA probe, coupled with a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) technique performed under isothermal conditions. This method allows rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of the 16S rRNA gene of E. canis with a detection limit of at least 11.1 pM, showing great potential for practical usage in resource-limited areas.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Wiebke Rubel, Clara Schoneberg, Annika Wolf, Martin Ganter, Benjamin Ulrich Bauer
Summary: Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Anaplasma ovis, tick-borne pathogens with zoonotic potential, have been detected in small ruminants in Europe and North America. Limited knowledge exists regarding the distribution of these pathogens in sheep and goats from Germany. A study examined serum samples from 71 small ruminant flocks in five German federal states, finding antibodies to Anaplasma species in almost all flocks. Older animals and females were more likely to have antibodies, with sheep having a higher probability of becoming seropositive than goats. Flocks used for landscape conservation and the presence of cats and dogs on the farm increased the risk of having more than 20% seropositive animals within the flock. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of Anaplasma species on the health of small ruminants in Germany.
Article
Microbiology
Fatima Zohra Hamlili, Maureen Laroche, Adama Zan Diarra, Ismail Lafri, Brahim Gassen, Boubaker Boutefna, Bernard Davoust, Idir Bitam, Philippe Parola
Summary: This study used MALDI-TOF MS and molecular tools to identify tick species infesting camels from Tamanrasset in southern Algeria and to investigate their associated microorganisms. The results showed that all tick specimens were correctly identified, and two specimens tested positive for Q fever and a potentially new Ehrlichia.
Article
Immunology
Keith J. Price, Christine B. Graham, Bryn J. Witmier, Holly A. Chapman, Brooke L. Coder, Christian N. Boyer, Erik Foster, Sarah E. Maes, Ying Bai, Rebecca J. Eisen, Andrew D. Kyle
Summary: Ticks of Haemaphysalis longicornis collected from southeastern Pennsylvania were tested for pathogens, with 1 adult female testing positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, resulting in an infection rate of 0.4%. It is crucial to continue monitoring this invasive tick species to assess its impact on public health.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sibonginhlanhla I. C. Mahlobo-Shwabede, Oliver T. Zishiri, Oriel M. M. Thekisoe, Mabusetsa J. R. Makalo
Summary: This study identified zoonotic tick-borne pathogens of economic importance in domestic animals in Lesotho using molecular techniques. Anaplasma spp. had a prevalence rate of 35%, with Rhipicephalus microplus being the most infected species.
Article
Microbiology
Yu-Jung Kim, Ji Ye Seo, Seong Yoon Kim, Hee Il Lee
Summary: This study investigated human cases of tick bites in South Korea in 2020 and found that a small number of ticks carried Anaplasma and Ehrlichia pathogens that cause zoonotic diseases. This is the first report of Ehrlichia pathogens detected in ticks parasitizing humans in South Korea. Therefore, continuous monitoring and management of pathogens and vectors are necessary.
Article
Parasitology
Jenna R. Gettings, Christopher S. Mcmahan, Christopher A. Cleveland, Andrea Varela-Stokes, Kris Hubbard, Sarah A. Hamer, Heather S. Walden, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: Domestic dogs are susceptible to various vector-borne pathogens that are not only important for their health but also pose a risk to human health. This study found a correlation between the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in shelter-housed and owned dog populations, suggesting that shelter-housed dogs have higher rates of heartworm infection and seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and B. burgdorferi compared to owned dogs. The findings provide valuable data on the risk of vector-borne diseases in dogs and contribute to our understanding of the relationship between shelter-housed and owned dogs in terms of seroprevalence of these pathogens.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zinka Maksimovic, Muamer Dervisevic, Amir Zahirovic, Maid Rifatbegovic
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and identified specific pathogens using molecular techniques. The results showed a high prevalence of these pathogens in stray dogs, highlighting the need for improved health monitoring and effective surveillance systems.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Veronika Urbanova, Eliska Kalinova, Petr Kopacek, Radek Sima
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the American human pathogen Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the tick species Ixodes ricinus, and found that I. ricinus is not a competent vector for this pathogen.
Article
Immunology
Sanjida J. Mowla, Naomi A. Drexler, Cara C. Cherry, Pallavi D. Annambholta, Ian T. Kracalik, Sridhar Basavaraju
Summary: Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are emerging tickborne diseases that have increased significantly in the United States since 2000, posing potential risks to transplant and transfusion recipients. Review of cases from 1997-2020 showed 132 cases, with 12 transfusion-associated and 120 transplant recipient cases, highlighting the importance of clinicians being vigilant in preventing and treating these infections among at-risk patients.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
David W. Mccormick, Catherine M. Brown, Jenna Bjork, Kim Cervantes, Brenda Esponda-Morrison, Jason Garrett, Natalie Kwit, Abigail Mathewson, Charles Mcginnis, Marco Notarangelo, Rebecca Osborn, Elizabeth Schiffman, Haris Sohail, Amy M. Schwartz, Alison F. Hinckley, Kiersten J. Kugeler
Summary: A total of 300 cases of Borrelia miyamotoi infection transmitted by Ixodes spp. ticks have been identified through public health surveillance in the United States from 2013 to 2019. The majority of cases occurred in older males during the summer months, with common symptoms being fever, headache, arthralgia, and rash.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lucas Huggins, Luca Massetti, Bettina Schunack, Vito Colella, Rebecca Traub
Summary: The Asia-Pacific region is home to a variety of canine vector-borne pathogens, with novel qPCRs proving to be more sensitive and reliable in detecting VBPs than traditional methods. These new techniques will be crucial for diagnosing and researching key canine VBPs.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Michael J. Yabsley, Alec T. Thompson
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Md S. S. Warasi, Joshua M. M. Tebbs, Christopher S. S. McMahan, Christopher R. R. Bilder
Summary: When screening a population for infectious diseases, pooling individual specimens can save costs compared to testing specimens individually. Most research on estimating population-level prevalence with group testing data has focused on single diseases. In this article, Bayesian methods are used to estimate population-level disease probabilities from implementing multiplex group testing protocols.
BIOMETRICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Deborah L. A. Chong, Brittany McHale, Kayla B. Garrett, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: A wild adult Greater Sage-grouse from Oregon, US, was found dead, with multiorgan necrosis and inflammation caused by protozoal schizonts and phanerozoites. Molecular characterization identified these protozoa as Plasmodium homopolare H2 and a novel Leucocytozoon sp. lineage. This is the first report of fatal systemic haemosporidiosis in Greater Sage-grouse.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ellen Haynes, Sarah Coker, Michael J. Yabsley, Kevin D. Niedrighaus, Andrew M. Ramey, Guilherme G. Verocai, Grant V. Hilderbrand, Kyle Joly, David D. Gustine, Buck Mangipane, William B. Leacock, Anthony P. Crupi, Christopher A. Cleveland
Summary: To assess infection with or exposure to parasites, blood and fecal samples were collected from Alaska brown bears at five locations. Gastrointestinal parasites were screened using fecal centrifugal flotation, blood was tested for Bartonella and Babesia spp., and an ELISA was used to detect antibodies to Sarcoptes scabiei. The results showed low levels of parasite detection, which is expected for brown bear populations in undisturbed habitats near the northern edge of their range. These findings provide important baseline data for monitoring changes in parasite presence over time and in response to ecological alterations.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kayla Garrett, Justin Brown, Ryan K. A. Grunert, Jonathan Hunte, Mark G. Ruder, Kyle Van Why, Michael J. Yabsley, Christopher A. Cleveland
Summary: Echinococcus spp. are parasitic tapeworms that affect the health of wildlife, domestic animals, livestock, and humans. Two species of interest in North America are Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus canadensis. The primary hosts for these parasites include red foxes, gray foxes, coyotes, and wolves. Different intermediate hosts are used for each species. Recent reports in the eastern US emphasize the need for surveillance of Echinococcus spp. in this region.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Mark W. Cunningham, Daniel P. Wolf, Katherine A. Sayler, Michael Milleson, Brittany Bankovich, Paul Schueller, Betsy S. Haley, Savannah Stura, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: During the study in Florida, we found the presence of Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm) in 9 counties, with an overall prevalence of 3.7%. We identified housing density, the presence of the endoparasite Macracanthorhynchus ingens, and urbanicity as important factors in predicting the presence of raccoon roundworm. It is important for public health officials, wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife managers, and others to recognize that all raccoons in Florida may potentially be infected with B. procyonis, especially in areas with high housing density.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kevin D. Niedringhaus, John P. Dumbacher, Freeland Dunker, Shelby Medina, Becki Lawson, Heather M. A. Fenton, J. Mark Higley, Ellen Haynes, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: Barred Owls have expanded their range and their presence is suspected to have contributed to the decline of the Northern Spotted Owl. A study was conducted to understand the health threats to Barred Owls and to determine the prevalence and effects of periorbital nematode infection in these owls. It was found that 49% of the sampled Barred Owls were infected with periorbital nematodes, but the effect on their health is still unclear.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia C. Frederick, Alec T. Thompson, Prisha Sharma, Guha Dharmarajan, Isobel Ronai, Risa Pesapane, Ryan C. Smith, Kellee D. Sundstrom, Jean I. Tsao, Holly C. Tuten, Michael J. Yabsley, Travis C. Glenn
Summary: The blacklegged tick is a vector of Lyme disease and its genetic variation is associated with its vectorial capacity. Through studying genome-wide markers of 353 blacklegged tick samples, differences in genetic variation among different geographic regions were found, especially in populations from the Northeast and Upper Midwest, where Lyme disease is most common. The study also identified 10 variable DNA sites that contribute the most to population differentiation.
Article
Ecology
Meredith Lane, Mitra Kashani, Joel LN. Barratt, Yvonne Qvarnstrom, Michael J. Yabsley, Kayla B. Garrett, Richard S. Bradbury
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of nUPDx in detecting parasitic infections in animals. nUPDx was able to detect parasitic infections in various animal samples, and identified co-infections that were not detected by other methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Sonia M. Hernandez, Shannon E. Curry, Maureen H. Murray, Lisa A. Hoopes, Roger Nilsen, Christopher Gregory, Branson Ritchie, Katelyn Adkins, R. Ethan Cooper, Taylor J. Ellison, Henry C. Adams, Michael J. Yabsley, Elizabeth Howerth, Nicole L. Gottdenker
Summary: The infection of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster was discovered for the first time in American white ibis in Florida, and the infection was found to be potentially associated with clinical disease and mortality. Further studies on this pathogen in free-living birds are needed.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
(2023)
Correction
Ecology
Alexander T. Strauss, Daniel C. Suh, Kate Galbraith, Sarah M. Coker, Katie Schroeder, Christopher Brandon, Elizabeth M. Warburton, Michael J. Yabsley, Christopher A. Cleveland
Article
Ecology
Alexander T. Strauss, Daniel C. Suh, Kate Galbraith, Sarah M. Coker, Katie Schroeder, Christopher Brandon, Elizabeth M. Warburton, Michael J. Yabsley, Christopher A. Cleveland
Summary: Parasites play important roles in ecosystems by infecting common hosts, such as Daphnia, which are critical for freshwater ecosystems. This study found two previously unreported parasite species infecting three Daphnia species in shallow ponds in Georgia, USA. The prevalence and impact of these parasites varied among ponds and host species, suggesting their potential significance in these freshwater ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Michael J. Yabsley, Sarah M. Coker, Catharine N. Welch, Kayla B. Garrett, Maureen Murray, Ryan Grunert, Julia S. Seixas, Whitney M. Kistler, Shannon E. Curry, Henry C. Adams, Charlie S. Nakatsu, Liandrie Swanepoel, Seth T. Wyckoff, Troy M. Koser, Elizabeth Kurimo-Beechuk, Ellen Haynes, Sonia M. Hernandez
Summary: The American white ibis is increasingly urban in Florida and relies on urban and suburban habitats, potentially altering parasite transmission. Parasites, especially haemosporidians, in ibis have been understudied. This study found a high prevalence and genetic diversity of Haemoproteus in white ibis in South Florida, suggesting a significant presence of haemosporidia in this population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Seth T. Wyckoff, Tell Judkins, Nicole M. Nemeth, Mark G. Ruder, James A. Martin, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: This study investigated the health impacts of gastrointestinal and periorbital parasites in bobwhite in western Oklahoma, USA. The results showed a low prevalence and diversity of parasites in bobwhite, but at least one gastrointestinal or ocular parasite species was detected in more than half of the sampled birds. The study also found a negative association between burdens of A. pennula infections and fat stores in bobwhite.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jenna R. Gettings, Christopher S. Mcmahan, Christopher A. Cleveland, Andrea Varela-Stokes, Kris Hubbard, Sarah A. Hamer, Heather S. Walden, Michael J. Yabsley
Summary: Domestic dogs are susceptible to various vector-borne pathogens that are not only important for their health but also pose a risk to human health. This study found a correlation between the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in shelter-housed and owned dog populations, suggesting that shelter-housed dogs have higher rates of heartworm infection and seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and B. burgdorferi compared to owned dogs. The findings provide valuable data on the risk of vector-borne diseases in dogs and contribute to our understanding of the relationship between shelter-housed and owned dogs in terms of seroprevalence of these pathogens.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)