Biological and molecular characterization of a raccoon isolate of Trypanosoma cruzi from South Carolina.

Biological and molecular characteristics of a raccoon isolate of Trypanosoma cruzi (R36) were compared with those of a known virulent strain (Brazil). Included in the characterization were growth rate in liver infusion tryptose medium, infectivity for murine fibroblasts, intracellular amastigote replication and trypomastigote release rates, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) profiling of the mini-exon gene, isoenzyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles, and in vivo virulence for C3H/HeJ mice. Similar growth curves were noted for both strains; however, infectivity and rates of intracellular amastigote replication and trypomastigote release were significantly lower for the R36 isolate than for the Brazil strain.

Fumonisin B1 affects viability and alters nitric oxide production of a murine macrophage cell line.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the major toxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides contaminating corn, is known to elicit many organ- and species-specific toxicities in animals. In the present study, exposure to FB1 decreased viability of a murine macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) in a dose-dependent manner (1-100 microM).

Vector potential of houseflies for the bacterium Aeromonas caviae.

Houseflies, Musca domestica Linnaeus (Diptera: Muscidae), have been implicated as vectors or transporters of numerous gastrointestinal pathogens encountered during feeding and ovipositing on faeces. The putative enteropathogen Aeromonas caviae (Proteobacteria: Aeromonadaceae) may be present in faeces of humans and livestock. Recently A.

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in raccoons from South Carolina and Georgia.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of American trypanosomiasis or Chagas' disease, is of both medical and veterinary importance as is evidenced by chronic phase myocarditis in humans and dogs. Further, T. cruzi has been reported from over 20 species of wildlife reservoir hosts in the USA, with raccoons (Procyon lotor) and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) being the most common.

Detection of Aeromonas caviae in the common housefly Musca domestica by culture and polymerase chain reaction.

Aeromonas caviae has been implicated in diarrhoeal disease of livestock and humans. The potential role of houseflies in the epidemiology of this pathogen was investigated by examining the prevalence of A. caviae in houseflies collected from two South Carolina farms and one restaurant.