Publications by authors named "Ricardo G Maggi"

A 13-y-old, spayed female dog had regenerative anemia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated hepatic biochemical parameters. Liver biopsy revealed hepatic peliosis (hepatic sinusoidal angiectasis), frequently associated with perisinusoidal fibrosis. The dog was seroreactive to antigens by indirect fluorescent antibody assays, and quantitative PCR from blood identified subsp.

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More than one-hundred species that affect animals and humans have been described, eight of which have been associated with emerging and underdiagnosed zoonoses. Most diagnostic studies in humans have used serology or molecular assays based on the 18S rRNA gene. Because the 18S rRNA gene is highly conserved, obtaining an accurate diagnosis at the species level is difficult, particularly when the amplified DNA fragment is small.

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Article Synopsis
  • Bartonella species are intracellular bacteria linked to various human diseases, often transmitted through infected bodily fluids or vectors, but infections have been reported without clear contact to animals or insects.
  • These bacteria are associated with neurological conditions, including neuroretinitis and encephalitis, primarily linked to species like Bartonella henselae and B. quintana, and can also cause peripheral neuropathies.
  • Recent studies have detected Bartonella DNA more frequently in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, suggesting a potential connection between these infections and conditions such as schizophrenia and psychoses.
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  • Bartonella spp. are bacteria that can cause infections in animals and humans, and they are spread by vectors like sand flies.
  • A study analyzed 634 sand fly specimens in Brazil from 2017-2021 and found that 8.7% contained Bartonella DNA using specific PCR techniques.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicated some sequences of Bartonella were related to known species, suggesting that sand flies might play a role in the transmission of these bacteria.
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  • Babesia and Bartonella co-infections are increasingly recognized in patients with chronic illnesses, challenging traditional views on infectious diseases.
  • This study uses advanced molecular diagnostics to confirm Babesia odocoilei infections in humans, revealing a higher occurrence than previously thought.
  • Six out of seven infected individuals also had co-infections with different Bartonella species, highlighting the need for more awareness and understanding of these pathogen dynamics.
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Introduction: The potential role of pathogens, particularly vector-transmitted infectious agents, as a cause of psychosis has not been intensively investigated. We have reported a potential link between spp. bacteremia and neuropsychiatric symptoms, including pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and schizophrenia.

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Bartonellosis refers to disease caused by the Bartonella genus of bacteria. The breadth of disease manifestations associated with Bartonella is currently expanding and includes regional lymphadenopathy, rheumatic, ocular, and neurological disorders. The dearth of knowledge regarding diagnosis, treatment and pathogenesis of this disease can be partially attributed to the lack of a reliable small animal model for the disease.

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Pathogen environmental stability is an often-neglected research priority for pathogens that are known to be vector-transmitted. , the etiologic agent of Cat Scratch Disease, has become a "pathogen of interest" in several serious human illnesses, which include neoplastic, cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and rheumatologic conditions. Survival in the flea gut and feces as well as the association with a biofilm in culture-negative endocarditis provides insight into this organism's ability to adjust to environmental extremes.

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Bacteria of the genus , a member of the , are fastidious, Gram-negative, aerobic bacilli that comprise numerous species, subspecies, and genotypes. Bartonella henselae, with a worldwide distribution, infects cats, dogs, horses, humans, and other mammals. Diagnostically, direct detection of Bartonella henselae in patient blood specimens by culture or molecular methods is required to confirm infection with this bacterium.

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Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat's lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats.

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spp. comprise a genus of Gram-negative alphaproteobacteria that are slow growing, fastidious, and facultative intracellular pathogens with zoonotic potential. Immunofluorescent antibody assays (IFAs), Western blot (WB), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), the frequently used modalities for the serological diagnosis of canine and human Bartonelloses, generate numerous false negative results.

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Among the -borne pathogens, , the main aetiological agent of cat scratch disease (CSD), is of increasing comparative biomedical importance. Despite the importance of as an emergent pathogen, prevention of the diseases caused by this agent in cats, dogs and humans mostly relies on the use of ectoparasiticides. A vaccine targeting both flea fitness and pathogen competence is an attractive choice requiring the identification of flea proteins/metabolites with a dual effect.

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Currently, a gold standard diagnostic test for infection in dogs is lacking. This represents a critical limitation for the development and evaluation of new diagnostic tests, as well as for the diagnosis of, and research on, bartonellosis in dogs. This retrospective observational study aims to compare the results of commonly performed and newly-reported spp.

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, , and are bacteria known to cause verruga peruana or bacillary angiomatosis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent cutaneous lesions in humans. Given the bacteria's association with the dermal niche and clinical suspicion of occult infection by a dermatologist, we determined if patients with melanoma had evidence of spp. infection.

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species are globally important emerging pathogens that were not known to infect animals or humans in North America prior to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Ongoing improvements in diagnostic testing modalities have allowed for the discovery of species (spp.) DNA in blood; cerebrospinal fluid; and the skin of patients with cutaneous lesions, fatigue, myalgia, and neurological symptoms.

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The Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum is a working group of leading international experts who meet annually to evaluate current scientific findings and future trends concerning the distribution, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention of vector-borne infections of dogs and cats. At the 14th Symposium of the CVBD World Forum in Trieste, Italy (March 25-28, 2019), we identified the need to (i) bring attention to the potential spread of parasites and vectors with relocated dogs, and (ii) provide advice to the veterinary profession regarding the importance of surveillance and treatment for parasites and vector-borne infections when rehoming dogs. This letter shares a consensus statement from the CVBD World Forum as well as a summary of the problem faced, including the role of veterinary professionals in parasite surveillance, causal issues, and the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in addressing the problem.

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Background: In a warmer and more globally connected Arctic, vector-borne pathogens of zoonotic importance may be increasing in prevalence in native wildlife. Recently, Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch fever, was detected in blood collected from arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) that were captured and released in the large goose colony at Karrak Lake, Nunavut, Canada. This bacterium is generally associated with cats and cat fleas, which are absent from Arctic ecosystems.

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This report describes the development, optimization, and validation of a ddPCR assay for the detection of Bartonella spp. DNA within several sample matrices, including clinical blood samples from patients with or without documented Bartonella spp. bacteremia.

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Hemangiosarcoma (HSA), a locally invasive and highly metastatic endothelial cell neoplasm, accounts for two-thirds of all cardiac and splenic neoplasms in dogs. Bartonella spp. infection has been reported in association with neoplastic and non-neoplastic vasoproliferative lesions in animals and humans.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the dynamics of infections caused by Bartonella and Rickettsia species in dogs, focusing on an outbreak of hidden Bartonella infections following Rickettsia rickettsii exposure.
  • Six healthy Beagles were used in a controlled setting, receiving testing for both pathogens before and after they were inoculated with R. rickettsii over a period of several months.
  • Results showed that all dogs developed mild symptoms associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever and exhibited seroconversion to multiple Bartonella species, suggesting potential long-term effects and transmission routes among dogs.
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Companion vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are an important threat for pet life, but may also have an impact on human health, due to their often zoonotic character. The importance and awareness of CVBDs continuously increased during the last years. However, information on their occurrence is often limited in several parts of the world, which are often especially affected.

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Background: With the advent of more sensitive culture and molecular diagnostic testing modalities, spp. infections have been documented in blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with diverse neurological symptoms. Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) is characterized by an unusually abrupt onset of cognitive, behavioral, or neurological symptoms.

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Blood samples collected from American black bears () in eastern and western North Carolina, US, were analyzed for piroplasms. Piroplasmids were detected in 17% (23/132) of the animals surveyed. We detected a spp.

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