Potential for Tick-borne Bartonelloses

Although possible, tick transmission to a vertebrate host has not been proven

Three Pathogens in Sympatric Populations of Pumas, Bobcats, and Domestic Cats: Implications for Infectious Disease Transmission

Anthropogenic landscape change can lead to increased opportunities for pathogen transmission between domestic and non-domestic animals. Pumas, bobcats, and domestic cats are sympatric in many areas of North America and share many of the same pathogens, some of which are zoonotic. We analyzed bobcat, puma, and feral domestic cat samples collected from targeted geographic areas. We examined exposure to three pathogens that are taxonomically diverse (bacterial, protozoal, viral), that incorporate multiple transmission strategies (vector-borne, environmental exposure/ingestion, and direct contact), and that vary in species-specificity. Bartonella spp., Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and Toxoplasma gondii IgG were detected in all three species with mean respective prevalence as follows: puma 16%, 41% and 75%; bobcat 31%, 22% and 43%; domestic cat 45%, 10% and 1%. Bartonella spp. were highly prevalent among domestic cats in Southern California compared to other cohort groups. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus exposure was primarily associated with species and age, and was not influenced by geographic location. Pumas were more likely to be infected with FIV than bobcats, with domestic cats having the lowest infection rate. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence was high in both pumas and bobcats across all sites; in contrast, few domestic cats were seropositive, despite the fact that feral, free ranging domestic cats were targeted in this study. Interestingly, a directly transmitted species-specific disease (FIV) was not associated with geographic location, while exposure to indirectly transmitted diseases – vector-borne for Bartonella spp. and ingestion of oocysts via infected prey or environmental exposure for T. gondii – varied significantly by site. Pathogens transmitted by direct contact may be more dependent upon individual behaviors and intra-specific encounters. Future studies will integrate host density, as well as landscape features, to better understand the mechanisms driving disease exposure and to predict zones of cross-species pathogen transmission among wild and domestic felids

RESEARCH NOTE BARTONELLA SPECIES IN DOGS AND THEIR ECTOPARASITES FROM KHON KAEN PROVINCE, THAILAND

Abstract. In order to access the prevalence of Bartonella species in dogs, whole blood and any associated ectoparasites were collected from 164 dogs with owners in 25 villages throughout Khon Kaen Province. DNA was extracted from dog blood, 92 ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and 137 fleas (Ctenocephalides spp) and screened by PCR using intergenic spacer region and citrate synthase gene primers. B. clarridgeiae DNA was detected in blood of 3 dogs, 4 C. felis and 1 C. canis; B. rochalimae DNA was found in 1 tick; and B. vinsonii subsp vinsonii DNA was found in 2 C. felis. The findings indicate that dogs residing in northeast Thailand are exposed to diverse Bartonella species that are also potential human pathogens

Effect of ATP-vesicles and Regranex on MCP-1, IL-10 and IL-6 production in cultured human monocyte/macrophages.

<p><b>(A-C)</b>: The release of MCP-1, IL-10 and IL-6 in culture supernatant was measured by ELISA method. Data are the mean ± SD of six independent experiments (*p<0.05).</p

Comparison of the picrosirius red staining at days 4 and 15.

<p><b>(A):</b> The wound treated with ATP-vesicles shows a higher volume of collagen (bright red), while the control wounds have little collagen. The picrosirius red staining is viewed under circular polarized light. Increased type I (orange) and type III collagen (green) content is seen in ATP-vesicle-treated wounds as healing progresses. The control wounds have much less collagen expression. The collagen fibers also increase in size and mature at a faster rate in ATP-vesicle-treated wounds when compared with the controls (Scale bar is 100 μm). <b>(B)</b>. Graphical representation of morphometrically measured area represented by collagen type 1 among the three groups.</p