Evaluation of the Veterinary IDEXX SNAP 4Dx Plus Test for the Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Humans.

Lyme disease, caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The standard two-tier testing (STTT) algorithm suffers from low sensitivity, misinterpretation, and long turnaround time, preventing timely detection and treatment. To address these challenges, we hypothesized that the canine point-of-care (PoC) SNAP 4Dx Plus test used to detect Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies could be employed for human diagnosis.

species bacteremia in association with adult psychosis.

Introduction: The potential role of pathogens, particularly vector-transmitted infectious agents, as a cause of psychosis has not been intensively investigated. We have reported a potential link between spp. bacteremia and neuropsychiatric symptoms, including pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and schizophrenia.

A case of mistaken identity: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and reinvestigation of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. infection in Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea).

Background: Feline-associated hemotropic Mycoplasma (hemoplasmas) are believed to be transmitted by two primary mechanisms: (1) direct transmission via fighting and (2) vector-borne transmission by the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). While the efficiency of transmission by C. felis appears low, most manuscripts focus on the prevalence of hemoplasmas in wild-caught fleas and report either a very low (< 3%) or a high (> 26%) prevalence.

Assessment of the effect of long-term serum storage for retrospective serologic diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis).

There is currently sparse information on the possible effect of long-term storage of serum specimens for the retrospective serodiagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the original serologic outcome and the results of a repeat indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay for the detection of IgG antibodies against E. canis.

Antibodies to and species in serum and synovial fluid from people with rheumatic diseases.

Unlabelled: Vector-borne infections may underlie some rheumatic diseases, particularly in people with joint effusions. This study aimed to compare serum and synovial fluid antibodies to and spp. in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Vector biology of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis.

Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea, is among the most prevalent and widely dispersed vectors worldwide. Unfortunately, research on C. felis and associated pathogens (Bartonella and Rickettsia spp.

A comparison of Bartonella henselae infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice.

Bartonellosis refers to disease caused by the Bartonella genus of bacteria. The breadth of disease manifestations associated with Bartonella is currently expanding and includes regional lymphadenopathy, rheumatic, ocular, and neurological disorders. The dearth of knowledge regarding diagnosis, treatment and pathogenesis of this disease can be partially attributed to the lack of a reliable small animal model for the disease.

Eosinophilic pericardial effusion and pericarditis in a cat.

Case Summary: A 10-year-old domestic shorthair cat presented for lethargy, anorexia and labored breathing. Significant pleural and pericardial effusions prompted thoracocentesis and pericardiocentesis. Cytologic evaluation of the pericardial effusion revealed a highly cellular hemorrhagic, eosinophilic (12%) effusion, with many markedly atypical suspected mesothelial cells, interpreted as concerning for neoplasia.

Case report: Substantial improvement of autism spectrum disorder in a child with learning disabilities in conjunction with treatment for poly-microbial vector borne infections.

Poly-microbial vector-borne infections may have contributed to neuropsychiatric symptoms in a boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Targeted antimicrobial treatment resulted in substantial improvement in cognitive (such as learning disabilities, focus, concentration) and neurobehavioral (such as oppositional, defiant, anti-social, disordered mood, immaturity, tics) symptoms.

Viability and Desiccation Resistance of in Biological and Non-Biological Fluids: Evidence for Pathogen Environmental Stability.

Pathogen environmental stability is an often-neglected research priority for pathogens that are known to be vector-transmitted. , the etiologic agent of Cat Scratch Disease, has become a "pathogen of interest" in several serious human illnesses, which include neoplastic, cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and rheumatologic conditions. Survival in the flea gut and feces as well as the association with a biofilm in culture-negative endocarditis provides insight into this organism's ability to adjust to environmental extremes.

Risk Factors for Seroreactivity Among Veterinary Workers in the Pacific Northwest.

Exposure to zoonotic diseases is a significant occupational risk in veterinary medicine. In this study, we characterized personal protective equipment use, injury frequency, and seroreactivity in Washington State veterinary workers. Using a risk matrix developed to reflect occupational risk factors for exposure to and multiple logistic regression, we explored determinants of risk for seroreactivity.

Establishment of a consensus protocol to explore the brain pathobiome in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: Research outline and call for collaboration.

Microbial infections of the brain can lead to dementia, and for many decades microbial infections have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, a causal role for infection in AD remains contentious, and the lack of standardized detection methodologies has led to inconsistent detection/identification of microbes in AD brains. There is a need for a consensus methodology; the Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative aims to perform comparative molecular analyses of microbes in post mortem brains versus cerebrospinal fluid, blood, olfactory neuroepithelium, oral/nasopharyngeal tissue, bronchoalveolar, urinary, and gut/stool samples.

Blood Supplementation Enhances Bartonella henselae Growth and Molecular Detection of Bacterial DNA in Liquid Culture.

Bacteria of the genus , a member of the , are fastidious, Gram-negative, aerobic bacilli that comprise numerous species, subspecies, and genotypes. Bartonella henselae, with a worldwide distribution, infects cats, dogs, horses, humans, and other mammals. Diagnostically, direct detection of Bartonella henselae in patient blood specimens by culture or molecular methods is required to confirm infection with this bacterium.

A second-generation, point-of-care immunoassay provided improved detection of and antibodies in PCR-positive dogs naturally infected with or species.

A validated second-generation SNAP 4Dx Plus (Idexx) incorporates new peptides for improved detection of antibodies against and tick-borne pathogens in dogs. We compared the first- and second-generation SNAP 4Dx Plus using dogs naturally infected with or species, or dogs seroreactive by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The second-generation immunoassay was more sensitive than the first-generation for dogs infected with (51.

Feeding on a Infected Host Triggers Temporary Changes in the Microbiome.

The effect of on the microbiome of its vector, (the cat flea) is largely unknown, as the majority of microbiome studies have utilized wild-caught pooled fleas. We surveyed the microbiome of laboratory-origin fed on -infected cats for 24 h or 9 days to identify changes to microbiome diversity and microbe prevalence compared to unfed fleas, and fleas fed on uninfected cats. Utilizing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina platform, we documented an increase in microbial diversity in fed on -infected cats for 24 h.

The association of host and vector characteristics with pathogen and endosymbiont infection.

Surveillance of the fleas and flea-borne pathogens infecting cats is important for both human and animal health. Multiple zoonotic and species are known to infect the most common flea infesting cats and dogs worldwide: , the cat flea. The ability of other flea species to transmit pathogens is relatively unexplored.

A bottom-up proteomics workflow for a system containing multiple organisms.

Rationale: Discovery proteomics has been popularized to be essential in the investigator's biological toolbox. Many biological problems involve the interplay of multiple organisms. Herein, a bottom-up proteomics workflow was developed to study a system containing multiple organisms to promote a thorough understanding of how each interacts with the others.

Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats.

Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat's lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats.