(Nematoda: Rictulariidae) encysted larvae in invasive Cuban treefrogs () from Florida, United States.

Species of are spirurid nematodes that have expanded their geographic distribution worldwide. They infect a variety of mammalian definitive hosts with few reports of potential paratenic infections in amphibian and reptile hosts. In this study, we report sp.

A nowcast model to predict outdoor flea activity in real time for the contiguous United States.

Background: The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis), a parasite commonly found on both dogs and cats, is a competent vector for several zoonotic pathogens, including Dipylidium caninum (tapeworms), Bartonella henselae (responsible for cat scratch disease) and Rickettsia felis (responsible for flea-borne spotted fever). Veterinarians recommend that both cats and dogs be routinely treated with medications to prevent flea infestation. Nevertheless, surveys suggest that nearly one third of pet owners do not routinely administer appropriate preventatives.

Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes.

are small rhabditid nematodes primarily associated with enteric disease in a variety of animal species, including reptiles. life stages were associated with a disease outbreak in a large breeding colony of snakes. Multiple and colubrids exhibited respiratory distress, anorexia, stomatitis, facial deformation, and waning body condition that resulted in death or necessitated euthanasia.

Both Feline Coronavirus Serotypes 1 and 2 Infected Domestic Cats Develop Cross-Reactive Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain: Its Implication to Pan-CoV Vaccine Development.

The current study was initiated when our specific-pathogen-free laboratory toms developed unexpectedly high levels of cross-reactive antibodies to human SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) receptor binding domain (RBD) upon mating with feline coronavirus (FCoV)-positive queens. Multi-sequence alignment analyses of SCoV2 Wuhan RBD and four strains each from FCoV serotypes 1 and 2 (FCoV1 and FCoV2) demonstrated an amino acid sequence identity of 11.5% and a similarity of 31.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in dogs with Dirofilaria immitis.

Background: Infection by the canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, causes significant cardiopulmonary disease, with progression impacted by increasing parasite numbers and duration of infection. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important mediator of cardiac and pulmonary disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) mitigates the maladaptive effects of angiotensin II by converting it to angiotensin (1-7).

Increasing temperature denatures canine IgG reducing its ability to inhibit heartworm antigen detection.

Background: Immune complexing of target antigen to high affinity host antibody is recognized to impact the sensitivity of commercial heartworm antigen tests. Published information describing the effect of heat on interfering canine host antibodies is lacking. Immune complex dissociation (ICD) by heat treatment of serum for samples initially testing negative for heartworm antigen increases sensitivity of commercial antigen tests, particularly for single sex or low adult infection intensities.

IDENTIFICATION AND RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF A FILARIOID NEMATODE SPECIES IN MANAGED GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS ().

The grasshopper sparrow () is a species of ground-dwelling passerine bird with 12 different subspecies. The Florida subspecies () is classified as federally endangered, with the most common threats including habitat loss, nest predation, and floods. A managed breeding program was established at White Oak Conservation (Yulee, FL) in 2015 with eastern grasshopper sparrows () as a model for breeding Florida grasshopper sparrows as part of an assurance colony.

The invasive pentastome in a banded water snake from the pet trade.

is established in Florida and rapidly spreading both geographically and in known host species. A banded water snake (), purchased in Michigan at a regional reptile show, expectorated a pentastome whose morphology and DNA sequence indicated that it was . This event indicates that, through the pet trade, has been spread 1,500 km from its previously known distribution limit.

Burden of anemia and intestinal parasites in farmers and family members and owned livestock in two geographic locations in Senegal before and during the rainy seasons.

Different environmental conditions can impact the burden of anemia and intestinal parasite infections in human and livestock populations. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of anemia and intestinal parasite infections in farmers, family members, and owned sheep in two geographic locations along the Senegal River in June (end of the dry season) and September (rainy season). , the prevalence of anemia in humans was high in June (74%) and remained high in September (75%) (p = 0.

Human IgE mAbs identify major antigens of parasitic worm infection.

Background: Much of our understanding of the targets of IgE comes from studies of allergy, though little is known about the natural immunogenic targets seen after parasitic worm infections.

Objective: We used human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for an unbiased and comprehensive characterization of the immunodominant antigens targeted by IgE in conditions like allergy or helminth infection that are associated with elevated levels of IgE.

Methods: Using human hybridoma technology to immortalize IgE encoding B-cells from peripheral blood of subjects with filarial infections and elevated IgE, we generated naturally occurring human IgE mAbs.

Infection with the fox lungworm (Crenosoma vulpis) in two dogs from New England - Two clinical reports and updated geographic distribution in North America.

Crenosoma vulpis, the fox lungworm, is a helminth parasite endemic to the fox population of New England. Domestic dogs are susceptible to infection via ingestion of snails and slugs. Two dogs from New England were diagnosed with C.

A NEW COCCIDIAN (APICOMPLEXA: EIMERIIDAE) IN THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED CENTRAL AMERICAN RIVER TURTLE (DERMATEMYS MAWII) IN BELIZE.

As part of a biannual health examination, coprological samples from 3-mo-old Central American river turtles, Dermatemys mawii (Gray, 1847) in a breeding program in Belize, Central America, revealed a previously undescribed coccidian (Apicomplexa) in 17 of 46 (37%) samples. Of 3 positive fecal samples transported to the University of Florida, coccidian oocysts were observed in 1 sample. Sporulated oocysts were measured and described, and using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), an approximately 400-base pair (bp) region of both the small subunit (18S) ribosomal RNA gene and 1,200-bp region of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene were amplified in all 3 samples and their products were sequenced.

Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in the Invasive Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Central Florida, USA.

Cuban treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis, were grossly examined for parasites and parasite species confirmed by PCR. Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae were recovered from the hind leg muscle of O. septentrionalis.

Anemia and intestinal parasites in farmers and family members and sheep in two agro-ecological zones in Senegal.

The burden of anemia in Senegal is high, particularly in children and women in rural households. The main objectives of the study reported here were (i) to measure and compare the prevalence of anemia and intestinal parasitic infections in farmers and family members and sheep in two agro-ecological zones in Senegal and (ii) to examine the association between anemia and age or sex in farmers and family members. The study was conducted in Mpal (250 km from Dakar, the capital city) and Diawara (700 km from Dakar, a remote location near the Malian border).

Gastrointestinal entamoebiasis in captive anurans in North America.

Infections with Entamoeba spp. are recognized as a cause of clinical disease in many species including humans and reptiles; however, cases in amphibians are under-reported. Investigation of a mortality event among a captive population of Cranwell's horned frogs Ceratophrys cranwelli at a production facility in Florida, USA, revealed that deaths were due to the newly described Entamoeba species CT1.

Case Report: Invasive Pentastomes, (Sambon, 1922), in a Free-Ranging Banded Water Snake () in North Central Florida, USA.

is an obligate, crustacean parasite that resides in the respiratory tract of definitive snake hosts. Common throughout southeastern Asia and Australia, is believed to have been introduced into southern Florida, United States along with Burmese pythons () in the 1990s. While the invasive range of Burmese pythons is restricted to southern Florida, has advanced north in the state in native snake species.

(rat lungworm) in Florida, USA: current status.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been found in Florida, USA, from the panhandle in the north to Miami and surrounding areas in the southern parts of the state, in both definitive and intermediate hosts in a limited studies completed in 2015. Additional studies have identified this parasite in a variety of intermediate hosts, both native and non-native gastropod species, with new host species recorded. Many areas in Florida with higher A.

Canine heartworm and heat treatment: An evaluation using a well based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and canine sera with confirmed heartworm infection status.

Heat treatment of serum has demonstrated improved detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen in sera of sheltered dogs without knowing the true infection status of the animals and in dogs confirmed experimentally to be infected with heartworm. Utilizing archived sera with necropsy confirmed heartworm infection status (n = 665) and a micro-titer well based ELISA antigen assay, this study evaluated how the composition of heartworm infections affects antigen test results pre- and post-heat treatment, determined subsequent changes to the antigen test sensitivity and specificity, and application of optical density values. The composition of heartworm infections present in dogs with sera initially testing antigen negative consisted of infections by dead 1/34 (2.

HELMINTH FAUNA OF ICE SEALS IN THE ALASKAN BERING AND CHUKCHI SEAS, 2006-15.

Climate warming may affect the distribution of helminth parasites, allowing endemic species to increase in prevalence and new species to appear. We analyzed tissues from 141 ice-associated seals collected in the Alaskan (US) Bering and Chukchi seas during 2006-15 for internal helminth parasites and compared results with past studies. Specimens were collected from: ringed seals (Pusa hispida), bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), spotted seals (Phoca largha), and ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata).