Development of a novel real-time PCR multiplex assay for detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus.

Strangles is a contagious bacterial disease of horses caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (SEE) that occurs globally. Rapid and accurate identification of infected horses is essential for controlling strangles. Because of limitations of existing PCR assays for SEE, we sought to identify novel primers and probes that enable simultaneous detection and differentiation of infection with SEE and S.

Disseminated Scytalidium infection in a German shepherd dog.

We report a systemic mycosis in a German shepherd dog caused by Scytalidium spp. The patient presented for progressive cervical pain and forelimb hemiparesis. Cervical computed tomography revealed lysis associated with multiple vertebrae and a soft tissue mass adjacent to the spinal cord, as well as prescapular lymphadenopathy.

Disseminated protothecosis associated with diskospondylitis in a dog.

A 6 yr old female Labrador retriever was evaluated for an acute onset of difficulty walking and a head tilt. Initial physical examination revealed bilateral retinal detachment, a left-sided head tilt, positional rotary nystagmus, and lumbar hyperpathia. Pertinent preliminary diagnostic findings included systemic hypertension, bony lysis and adjacent sclerosis of the vertebral endplates of the first and second lumbar vertebrae, and positive urine and blood cultures for a yeast identified as Candida spp.

Frequency of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses across the United States during a 10-year period.

Objective: To quantify the number of horses with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection identified in the United States from January 2003 through December 2012.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Sample: State veterinary diagnostic laboratory records of 2,237 C pseudotuberculosis culture-positive samples from horses.

Cutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis in a clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).

A 16-yr-old male clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) was presented for lethargy and anorexia. A cutaneous abdominal mass extending from the pubis to just caudal to the xiphoid process was present. A biopsy revealed histologic lesions consistent with an atypical mycobacterial infection consisting of diffuse, severe, pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis, with clear vacuoles and 3-5 microm, intravacuolar, faintly eosinophilic, filamentous bacilli that stained positively with FiteFaraco modified acid-fast stain.

Evaluation of effects of high incubation temperatures on results of protozoal culture and real-time PCR testing for Tritrichomonas foetus inoculated in a commercially available self-contained culture media system.

Objective: To evaluate effects of high incubation temperatures on results of protozoal culture and real-time PCR testing for Tritrichomonas foetus inoculated in a commercially available self-contained culture media system.

Design: In vitro experimental study.

Sample: 2 strains of T foetus (1 field isolate from the University of California-Davis and 1 field isolate from the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory).

The influence of temperature and simulated transport conditions of diagnostic samples on real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Tritrichomonas foetus DNA.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease in cattle that causes considerable economic loss due to abortions and infertility. In vitro culture of the organisms is the traditional method for diagnosis. However, culture cannot differentiate Tritrichomonas foetus from other, closely related nonpathogenic protozoa.

Survey of haircoat fungal flora for the presence of dermatophytes in a population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Virginia.

Before releasing rehabilitated wildlife, patients should be cured of all infectious agents that pose a risk to free-roaming wildlife or humans after release. Dermatophyte fungi, commonly known as "ringworm," have zoonotic potential and may be carried as normal flora on the haircoats of certain species. Outbreaks of ringworm are anecdotally reported to occur in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns, but no prevalence surveys have been conducted on the haircoat flora of free-roaming individuals.