Contribution of polymorphisms in ankA, gltA, and groESL in defining genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Analysis of several nucleotide polymorphisms in polymorphic genes (ankA, gltA, and groESL) from 16S rRNA gene-based genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from dogs in the western United States defined at least two sets of multigene polymorphisms to further characterize these variants. The multigene polymorphism approach holds promise for development of a genotyping scheme for this important pathogen.

A field evaluation of four larval mosquito control methods in urban catch basins.

Effective control of mosquitoes in rural Midwestern communities that lack organized mosquito control districts would be aided by baseline data on optimal breeding sites, interannual effects of climate on population emergence and abundance, and efficacy of various control options under field conditions. During 19 surveillance weeks in the summer of 2005, we sampled 100 catch basins each week that were distributed among 10 study zones. Catch basins within each study zone were subjected to 1 of 4 different mosquito control methods or were left untreated.

Identification of mosquito bloodmeal source by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism profile analysis of the cytochrome B gene.

Previous studies have shown that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) heteroduplex analysis (HDA) of the cytochrome B (cytb) gene is useful in identifying mosquito bloodmeals derived from avian hosts. However, interpretation of PCR-HDA gels is performed visually, which can make it difficult to analyze large numbers of specimens and to compare results between laboratories. We investigated the utility of a terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) assay to analyze cytb PCR products.

Genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infecting dogs in Western Washington State.

Eight dogs from western Washington State suspected of being infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum because of the finding of morulae in peripheral blood neutrophils were studied for determination of the etiologic agent of disease. All cases were diagnosed between April 2003 and April 2004. Six of the eight dogs had no travel history during the 6 months prior to presentation.

Isolation of a fastidious Bergeyella species associated with cellulitis after a cat bite and a phylogenetic comparison with Bergeyella zoohelcum strains.

Bergeyella zoohelcum is an uncommon zoonotic pathogen typically associated with cat or dog bites. Previously, only five cases of B. zoohelcum infection have been reported.