Publications by authors named "M E Westman"
Background: Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a highly mutable retrovirus with numerous species-specific strains, such as those infecting domestic cats (Felis catus, FIV) and wild populations of nondomestic cats including lions (Panthera leo, FIV). When FIV infection manifests as disease in domestic cats, common presentations include lymphadenopathy, lymphoid malignancies, oral cavity disease, immunological dysfunctions and neurological abnormalities. In contrast to domestic cats, there has been little published evidence of direct FIV disease associations in lions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study explored how levels of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the blood affect the risk of developing allergic diseases, like rhinitis, from childhood through young adulthood.
- The research involved 933 participants from the BAMSE cohort, analyzing PUFA levels at ages 8 and 16, and assessing their association with allergic reactions by age 24.
- Findings indicated that higher levels of certain PUFA, particularly omega-3 and arachidonic acid, at age 8 were linked to lower risks of rhinitis and allergic sensitization; however, these relationships might be influenced by pre-existing conditions in childhood rather than new cases that develop later.
The platypus () is an amphibious, egg-laying mammal of high conservation value that is found only in Australia. The zoonotic bacterium serovar Hardjo was discovered in platypuses in prior studies, but little is known about its epidemiology. Samples in the Platypus Serum Bank were tested in 2023 and the results were combined with historical records.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Brucella suis infection in dogs is a growing concern globally, necessitating specific management due to zoonotic and animal welfare risks.
- This study evaluated the effectiveness of three serological tests (RBRPT, CFT, C-ELISA) on 989 dog serum samples to diagnose Brucella suis, using advanced statistical techniques to interpret results.
- Results showed that while all tests are useful for detecting B. suis antibodies, they should not be used alone; their accuracy depends on the likelihood of the disease based on the dog's background and clinical signs.
Introduction: Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC), caused by subsp. venerealis, is a sexually transmitted bacterium that significantly impacts cattle reproductive performance. However, current detection methods lack consistency and reliability due to the close genetic similarity between subsp.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF