Multicenter evaluation of the Vetscan Imagyst system using Ocus 40 and EasyScan One scanners to detect gastrointestinal parasites in feces of dogs and cats.

The Vetscan Imagyst system (Zoetis) is a novel, artificial intelligence-driven detection tool that can assist veterinarians in the identification of enteric parasites in dogs and cats. This system consists of a sample preparation device, an automated digital microscope scanner, and a deep-learning algorithm. The EasyScan One scanner (Motic) has had good diagnostic performance compared with manual examinations by experts; however, there are drawbacks when used in veterinary practices in which space for equipment is often limited.

Haplotypic analysis of cox1 from Toxocara canis demonstrates five distinct clades that are not geographically defined.

Background: Toxocara canis is a cosmopolitan parasite of dogs that is transmitted transplacentally to puppies resulting in widespread shedding of eggs in the environment. However, it is not clear if there are dominant parasite genotypes that are more common, pathogenic, or likely to be zoonotic.

Methods/principle Findings: Sequences of mitochondrial cox1 gene from adult worms were used to compare parasites from the United States with submitted sequences from parasites isolated from dogs in different countries.

A nationwide serological survey for Dirofilaria immitis in companion cats in the United States of America: 3.5% antibody and 0.3% antigen positivity.

Background: Feline heartworm disease (HWD) is a complex and often misdiagnosed disease in cats, caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis. Despite its significant impact, studies reporting the prevalence of D. immitis in apparently healthy pet cats in the USA are lacking.

Effect of age on wingbeat frequency of Aedes aegypti and potential application for age estimation of mosquitoes.

To combat mosquito-borne diseases, a variety of vector control tools have been implemented. Estimating age structure in populations of vector species is important for understanding transmission potential. Age-grading techniques have been used as critical methods for evaluating the efficacy of vector control tools.

Nationwide molecular survey of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in companion dogs and cats, United States of America.

Background: Heartworms, Dirofilaria immitis, are known to be widespread in dogs and cats in the USA, but there have been no country-wide prevalence studies performed to date. There have also been no large-scale studies to determine whether the closely related species, Dirofilaria repens, occurs in the USA.

Methods: To provide this large-scale data, we examined whole blood samples (n = 2334) submitted from around the USA to the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at Auburn University between 2016 and 2022.

Detection of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens in domestic dogs in Giza, Egypt.

The public health implications of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens are numerous because domestic animals, such as dogs, live in close proximity to humans. Blood was collected from 116 domestic dogs in Cairo, Egypt from three different settings at the human-animal interface. The three settings the dogs came from were: privately owned animals seeking care at the Cairo University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Clinic, non-laboratory reared research dogs maintained at the Cairo University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and an urban private animal rescue in Shabramont, Giza, Egypt.

Serologic evidence of selected vector-borne pathogens in non-owned dogs in the southeast US.

Vector-borne pathogens (VBP) associated with ectoparasitism are of concern for animal health, and there are many gaps in surveillance and reporting data. The purpose of this study was to test for four VBPs in a subset of non-owned dogs from county humane societies in Alabama and Georgia that were admitted to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Hoerlein Spay/Neuter Program for health exams and routine procedures, including bloodwork and testing with the 4Dx® SNAP® Plus (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, Maine).

Retrospective study of canine endoparasites diagnosed by fecal flotation methods analyzed across veterinary parasitology diagnostic laboratories, United States, 2018.

Background: Companion animal endoparasites play a substantial role in both veterinary medicine and public health. Updated epidemiological studies are necessary to identify trends in occurrence and distribution of these parasites, and their associated risk factors. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of canine endoparasites  retrospectively, using fecal flotation  test data available through participating academic veterinary parasitology diagnostic laboratories across the United States of America (USA).

Evaluation of oral fluralaner (Bravecto) for efficacy against nymphs of Amblyomma americanum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato).

Background: Amblyomma americanum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) nymphs commonly feed on and transmit pathogens to dogs (Canis familiaris). Control of immature and adult tick life stages is necessary to fully protect animals. We evaluated efficacy of oral fluralaner (Bravecto) against induced infestations with A.

An investigation of Dirofilaria immitis infection and its effects on mosquito wingbeat frequencies.

Each mosquito species has a different wingbeat frequency by which they attract mates. With just a brief recording (<1/10th of a second) these acoustic signatures can be analyzed to quickly determine if mosquitoes belong to a species that is known to transmit different pathogens. A recent study has shown that mobile phones are capable of capturing acoustic data from mosquito wingbeats.

DIVERSE SPP. DETECTED IN WHITE-TAILED DEER () AND ASSOCIATED KEDS () IN THE SOUTHEASTERN USA.

There are many known species of , Gram-negative bacteria that can cause febrile illness and fatality in humans and animals. These pathogens are often transmitted through hematophagous arthropod vectors such as fleas and lice. Despite increasing awareness about spp.

Coproantigen Detection Augments Diagnosis of Common Nematode Infections in Dogs.

Microscopic methods which employ active or passive flotation have been used to detect parasite diagnostic stages in the feces of companion animals for many years. More recently, coproantigen ELISAs for the detection of excretory/secretory products from intestinal nematodes have been introduced. These assays can identify the presence of parasites when eggs are not recovered by flotation (e.

Comparative evaluation of commercially available point-of-care heartworm antigen tests using well-characterized canine plasma samples.

Background: Dirofilaria immitis is a worldwide parasite that is endemic in many parts of the United States. There are many commercial assays available for the detection of D. immitis antigen, one of which was modified and has reentered the market.

PREVALENCE OF BABESIA SPP., EHRLICHIA SPP., AND TICK INFESTATIONS IN OKLAHOMA BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS).

American black bears (Ursus americanus) are commonly infested with ticks throughout their range, but there are few surveys for tick-borne disease agents in bears. To characterize tick infestations and determine the prevalence of current infection with Babesia spp. and past or current infection with Ehrlichia spp.

Prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Haiti.

Canine vector-borne pathogens are common on some Caribbean islands, but survey data in Haiti are lacking. To determine the prevalence of selected vector-borne pathogens in dogs from Haiti, we tested blood samples collected from 210 owned dogs, 28 (13.3%) of which were infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks at the time of blood collection.

Moxidectin steady state prior to inoculation protects cats from subsequent, repeated infection with Dirofilaria immitis.

Background: Infection of cats with Dirofilaria immitis causes seroconversion on antibody tests and pulmonary pathology, often without subsequent development of adult heartworms. Consistent administration of topical 10% imidacloprid-1% moxidectin has been shown to result in sustained plasma levels of moxidectin in cats after three to five treatments, a pharmacokinetic behavior known as "steady state".

Methods: To evaluate the ability of moxidectin at "steady state" to protect cats from subsequent infection with D.

Development of antibodies to and PCR detection of Ehrlichia spp. in dogs following natural tick exposure.

Dogs exposed to ticks in the southern US may become infected with multiple species of Ehrlichia. To better define infection risk, blood samples collected from 10 dogs infested with ticks via a natural infestation model were evaluated by blood smear examination, PCR, patient-side ELISAs (SNAP® 4Dx® and SNAP® 4Dx® Plus), IFA, and peptide based ELISA for evidence of infection with Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, and/or E.

Pre-treatment with heat facilitates detection of antigen of Dirofilaria immitis in canine samples.

Diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs is largely dependent on detection of antigen in canine serum, plasma, or whole blood, but antigen may be bound in immune complexes and thus not detected. To develop a model for antigen blocking, we mixed serum from a microfilaremic, antigen-positive dog with that of a hypergammaglobulinemic dog not currently infected with D. immitis and converted the positive sample to antigen-negative; detection of antigen was restored when the mixed sample was heat-treated, presumably due to disruption of antigen/antibody complexes.

Prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group Rickettsia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in coyotes (Canis latrans) in Oklahoma and Texas, USA.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are commonly infested with ticks, including Amblyomma americanum, the predominant vector of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii; Dermacentor variabilis, an important vector of Rickettsia rickettsii; and Amblyomma maculatum, a major vector of Rickettsia parkeri, a spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia. To determine the degree to which coyotes are infected with or exposed to tick-borne bacterial disease agents, serum samples collected from coyotes in Oklahoma and Texas were tested for antibodies reactive to R. rickettsii, Ehrlichia canis, E.

Genetic diversity of Hepatozoon spp. in coyotes from the south-central United States.

To better define the strains and species of Hepatozoon that infect coyotes in the south-central United States, whole blood and muscle samples were collected from 44 coyotes from 6 locations in Oklahoma and Texas. Samples were evaluated by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers amplifying a variable region of the apicomplexan 18S rRNA gene as well as histopathology (muscle only) for presence of tissue cysts. Hepatozoon spp.