Close geographic association of human neoehrlichiosis and tick populations carrying "Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis" in eastern Switzerland.
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Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis in rodents in an area with sympatric existence of the hard ticks Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus, Germany.
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Serological and molecular survey of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Italian hunting dogs.
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The presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a tick-transmitted zoonotic pathogen, has been reported in Italy in humans and several animal species, including dogs, but data concerning its prevalence in the Italian canine population are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum infection in hunting dogs which live in geographic areas of central Italy where the infection had been previously detected in wild animals. Sera from 215 hunting dogs were tested by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) to detect antibodies to A. phagocytophilum. Buffy coat samples from the same 215 animals were submitted to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay specific for the A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA gene. Thirty-two (14.8%) dogs proved to be seropositive with antibody titres from 1:40-1:2,560. The highest seroprevalence was observed in dogs 6-10-year-old. Two seropositive (0.9%) animals were also PCR positive. Sequencing of PCR products revealed gene sequences of A. phagocytophilum in both cases. These results confirm the presence of A. phagocytophilum in the Italian areas studied; thus, the zoonotic potential of this agent should be considered particularly for people, as hunters, at risk of exposure to tick bites. (+info)
Historical aspects of Potomac horse fever in Ontario (1924-2010).
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In the summer of 1924 Dr. Frank W. Schofield conducted investigations into an endemic disease of horses in the Kent and Essex counties of Ontario. According to farmers in these counties the disease had existed in this region for at least 50 years previously. The clinical, pathological, histopathological, and epidemiological findings outlined in Schofield's detailed report strongly suggest that this endemic disease was what was designated in 1979 as "Potomac horse fever" (PHF). This assumption is further substantiated by transmission experiments involving horses and laboratory animals that were conducted by Schofield utilizing horse feces, whole blood, and mayflies. The aim of this paper is to present Schofield's detailed investigations and findings and to compare these with PHF research conducted from 1979 to 2010 that ultimately led to the discovery of Neorickettsia risticii as the etiological agent and to elucidation of the organism's complex life cycle. (+info)
The diagnostic significance of a positive direct antiglobulin test in anemic cats.
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The preparation of a feline Coombs serum (rabbit antifeline gamma globulin) is described. The direct antiglobulin test using this serum was performed on 20 anemic and 20 healthy control cats. Red cell membrane antibodies were detected in cats with feline leukemia virus infection and in others with inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. A low titre of cold agglutinating antibody was present in a high proportion of the control cats. Positive direct antiglobulin tests were noted in cats without overt hemolytic disease. It was concluded that the direct antiglobulin test in anemic cats has certain diagnostic limitations. A positive reaction should be interpreted cautiously especially when there is no clinical or laboratory evidence to support a diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. (+info)
Agglutination of mouse erythrocytes by Eperythrozoon coccoides.
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Erythrocytes from blood of mice infected with Eperythrozoon coccoides for 3 or 4 days agglutinated spontaneously. Washed E. coccoides particles agglutinated washed erythrocytes of uninfected mice. E. coccoides-mediated agglutination of normal mouse erythrocytes would be an excellent system for studies of bacterial adhesion. (+info)
Haemolytic anaemia in the Gunn rat following transplantation of isolated hepatocytes injected with Haemobartonella muris.
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Extensively purified preparations of isolated rat hepatocytes derived from Wistar rats infected with Haemobartonella muris induced haemolytic anaemia when injected into congenitally jaundiced Gunn rats. In the absence of overt parasitaemia and marked falls in haematocrit, elevation of total plasma bilirubin levels was a valuable indicator of red-cell destruction. Evidence is presented that the parasite is removed by the spleen from the surface of infected red cells which then remain in the circulation. (+info)