Application of PCR and reverse line blot hybridization to detect arthropod transmitted haemopathogens in horses presented at a referral veterinary faculty in New Jersey, USA

Equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This disease has been well documented in California, USA and sporadic cases have been recorded in New Jersey and other states. Equine piroplasmosis is a reportable disease in the United States with the most recent outbreak reported in Florida in 2008. In order to detect these diseases in an area of low prevalence, two PCRs followed by a reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization process were performed on DNA extracted from blood of 133 horses presented at a large equine referral clinic in New Jersey. One PCR amplified the 16S rRNA gene for Anaplasma/ Ehrlichia and gene and the other the 18S rRNA gene for Theileria/Babesia. Amplified products were applied to a membrane to which oligonucleotide probes for equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis ( Anaplasma phagocytophilum) and equine piroplasmosis (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) were covalently attached. Two horses were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This is the first published record of A phagocytophilum DNA to be detected in horses in the United States using the reverse line blot hybridization process. This technique is useful for large scale epidemiological screening and detection of several tick-transmitted haemopathogens simultaneously in animals with vague clinical signs of disease.

Application of PCR and Reverse Line Blot Hybridization to Detect Arthropod 1 Transmitted Haemopathogens in Horses Presented at a Referral Veterinary Facility in 2 New Jersey, USA

Equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by the 36 intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This disease has been well 37 documented in California, USA and sporadic cases have been recorded in New Jersey 38 and other states. Equine piroplasmosis is a reportable disease in the United States with 39 the most recent outbreak reported in Florida in 2008. In order to detect these diseases in 40 an area of low prevalence, two PCRs followed by a reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization 41 process were performed on DNA extracted from blood of 133 horses presented at a large 42 equine referral clinic in New Jersey. One PCR amplified the 16S rRNA gene for 43 Anaplasma/ Ehrlichia and gene and the other the 18S rRNA gene for Theileria/Babesia. 44 Amplified products were applied to a membrane to which oligonucleotide probes for equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) and equine piroplasmosis 46 (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) were covalently attached. Two horses were positive 47 for Anaplasma phagocytophilum .This is the first published record of A phagocytophilum 48 DNA to be detected in horses in the United States using the reverse line blot 49 hybridization process. This technique is useful for large scale epidemiological screening 50 and detection of several tick-transmitted haemopathogens simultaneously in animals with 51 vague clinical signs of disease.

Ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses in Trinidad and in British Columbia, Canada

This paper investigates the commonalities in ethnoveterinary medicine used for horses between Trinidad (West Indies) and British Columbia (Canada). These research areas are part of a common market in pharmaceuticals and are both involved in the North American racing circuit. There has been very little research conducted on medicinal plants used for horses although their use is widespread. The data on ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses was obtained through key informant interviews with horse owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, grooms and animal care specialists in two research areas: Trinidad and British Columbia (BC). A participatory validation workshop was held in BC. An extensive literature review and botanical identification of the plants was also done. In all, 20 plants were found to be used in treating racehorses in Trinidad and 97 in BC. Of these the most-evidently effective plants 19 of the plants used in Trinidad and 66 of those used in BC are described and evaluated in this paper. Aloe vera, Curcuma longa and Ricinus communis are used in both research areas. More research is needed in Trinidad to identify plants that respondents claimed were used in the past. Far more studies have been conducted on the temperate and Chinese medicinal plants used in BC and therefore these ethnoveterinary remedies reflect stronger evidence of efficacy.

Geographic distribution of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus subtype IE genotypes in Central America and Mexico

Phylogenetic analysis of 20 strains of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus subtype IE isolated from 1961 to 1996 in Mexico and throughout Central America showed that VEE virus subtype IE was monophyletic with respect to other VEE virus subtypes. Nonetheless, there were at least three distinct geographically separated VEE virus IE genotypes: northwestern Panama, Pacific coast (Mexico/Guatemala), and Gulf/Caribbean coast (Mexico/Belize). Strains from the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua may cluster with the Gulf/Caribbean genotype, but additional isolates from the region between Guatemala and Panama will be required to firmly establish their phylogenetic position. Viruses associated with two separate equine epizootics in Mexico in the 1990s were phlogenticaly related to nonepizootic viruses from neighbouring Guatemala and may represent the emergence or re-emergence of equine-virulent VEE virus subtype IE in Middle America.(AU)

The occurrence of streptothricosis and its association with Amblyomma variegatum ticks in St. Lucia

Cattle, horses, sheep and goats in all areas of St. Lucia were examined to ascertain the prevalence and distribution of streptothricosis on the island and to investigate its association with the occurrence of Amblyomma variegatum ticks. Although the disease was found to occur throughout St. Lucia it was more prevalent and generally of a more severe form in areas where A. variegatum ticks are present. A tick control programme in the north of the island appeared to have resulted in a dramatic reduction in the prevalence of the disease. (AU)

A sero-epidemiological survey of leptospirosis among Jamaican human and animal populations

To date, relatively little research on leptospirosis has been undertaken in Jamaica and the Caribbean as a whole. This is despite the apparent role of this disease as a zoonosis. The major objective of this survey was that of determining the current status of leptospirosis in the Jamaican human, livestock and sylvatic populations through a sero-epidemiological approach. Sera for this survey were randomly selected from the ongoing National Brucelosis Control Programme serum banks at the Veterinary Diagnostic laboratory at Hope, in addition to sera collected island-wide on special field trips. Leptospiral titres were determined by the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), the standard reference procedure as described by Galton et al and modified by Cole et al. All sera were tested against the following live leptopiral antigens: abramis, autumnalis, canicola, ictero-haemorrhagiae, hardjo, grippotyphhosa, jules, pomona, portland-vere, monymusk, bog-vere and pyrogenes. A presumptive positive reaction was based on a 1:100 dilution or greater to any of the test antigens used. Leptospiral determination of the approximately 12,000 sera used indicated high seroprevalence rates for all species studied. Seroprevalence rates were being reported in poultry for the first time in Jamaica. The most frequent presumptive infecting serovars found in this particular survey were portland-vere, canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae and jules. These prodominated in nearly all the species surveyed. The serovar jules is unique to Jamaica and its comparatively high prevalence in both the human and animal population indicates a necessity for further investigation. The highest yearly seroprevalence rate (46 percent) was recorded for 1986. There was no significant differences observed in sex-related seroprevalence rates for humans while age, geographical and occupational seroprevalence relationships were significant. The periods accounting for the highest precipitation had correspondingly the highest leptospiral seropositive rates. This study has confirmed that leptospirosis is both an endemic and enzootic condition in Jamaica and that the dimension of the problem may be greater than current information suggests. The results further indicate that serological surveys are useful tools and provide a pragmatic approach to the greater understanding of the epidemiological patterns of leptospirosis. An intensified national ongoing leptospirosis control programme along with an assessment of the economic impact of this disease on livestock production and its public health significance are urgently needed (AU)

Serological studies on leptospirosis in livestock and chickens from Grenada

Sera from 1206 livestock animals and chickens in Grenada and Trinidad were tested for leptospiral antibodies by the microscopic agglutination test. 376 of the sera were positive (44 percent of those tested in Trinidad and 25 percent of those tested in Grenada). The positive sera were obtained from 25 percent of 324 cattle 35 percent of 130 pigs, 35 percent of 126 sheep, 25 percent of 44 goats, and 11 percent of 175 chickens in Grenada; and 92 percent of 26 cattle, 53 percent of 122 pigs, 76 percent of 86 horses, and 11 percent of 144 chickens in Trinidad. 8 sera from ducks and geese in Trinidad were tested and found to be negative. The serogroups most commonly found to react with sera of the Grenadian animals were Autumnalis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Hebdomadis and the related serogroups Sejroe and Mini, and Pyrogenes; in the Trinidadian animals they were Icterohaemorrhagiae, Autumnalis, Hebdomadis and its related serogroups and Panama. Strains of serogroup Pomona do not appear to have become established as livestock pathogens on the islands (AU)

Epidemiological investigation for arboviruses in Jamaica, West Indies

Arbovirus investigation in Jamaica was undertaken between 1960 and 1975. Serological studies showed that antibodies to dengue type virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE) were prevalent throughout the island for several years. In urban communities, the incidence of dengue antibody was higher than for SLE; however, in children under 10 years of age antibody to both viruses was rarely present. In rural areas, SLE was prevalent in adults and children. This virus was isolated from Culex nigripalpus (mosquitoes) and from a nestling Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, in the same rural area, during two epidemic periods, 1963 and 1968. No other group B arbovirus was encountered on the island. Group A arbovirus was virtually absent prior to the eastern equine encephalomyelitis outbreak of 1962. That virus was isolated from brain tissue of humans and equines. Two strains of Cache valley virus from mosquitoes, Anopheles grabhami, one strain from Aedes taeniorhynchus, and a strain of Wad Medani virus from a tick, Amblyomma cajenense, were also isolated (AU)

The epizootiology of the vesicular stomatitis viruses: a reappraisal

The pattern of epizootics caused by vesicular stomatitis viruses is examined, together with relevant laboratory evidence. The hypothesis that these viruses are arthropod-borne is examined and found wanting. The hypothesis is advanced that the pasture is the basic epizootiologic unit. The virus source is thought to be passive in or on the soil or vegetation and present in the pasture before outbreaks. Neither livestock nor rodents are regarded as essential for the life cycle of VS viruses (AU)

Eastern equine encephalitis virus in the West Indies and British Guiana

Investigations on Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus in the West Indies and British Guiana are reported. In Trinidad the virus was isolated from Culex mosquitoes in 1959 and 1960. In British Guiana the virus was isolated from horses in 1959 during an outbreak of Equine Encephalitis in Rupununi Savannah. Immunity to Eastern Equine virus has been demonstrated in man, birds and domestic chickens from Trinidad. (Summary)

Eastern equine encephalitis virus in the West Indies and British Guiana

Investigations on Eastern equine encephalitis virus in the West Indies and British Guiana are reported. In Trinidad the virus was isolated from Culex mosquitoes in 1959 and 1960. In British Guiana the virus was isolated from horses in 1959 during an outbreak of equine encephalitis in the Rupununi Savannah. Immunity to Eastern equine encephalitis virus has been demonstrated in man, birds and domestic chickens from Trinidad. (AU)

Precipitin studies on Anopheles Aquasalis curry, the coastal vector of malaria in Trinidad, B.W.I

Blood smears for precipitin analysis of freshly fed A. aquasalis the coastal vector of malaria in Trinidad were made in the villages of Laventille and New La Paille during the years 1950-1955. 13,332 smears from New La Paille and 4,590 from Laventille were analysed by the Lister Institute, London. Over 60 percent of the total number of smears made in each village were positive for bovine blood and the next highest percentage being that for equine blood. Precipitin tests revealed that A. aquasalis also feeds on goats, pigs, dogs and fowls. Among the smears, several which could not be identified, were thought to be from wild mammals and mangrove birds. Tests also revealed that A. aquasalis does not confine itself to feeding on a a single animal. It will feed on as many as four different animals. Despite differences in (a) the number of smears (b) the animal population and (c) the character of the two villages Laventille and New La Paille, the percentages of blood smears for the various animals showed some degree of similarity. (AU)

Infectivity of the saliva in parasitic rabies

The saliva of bovines, horses, bats, and human beings suffering from paralytic rabies is highly infectious to rabbits. Though a large number of presons scoop out the saliva from the mouths of rabid animals with their hands, upon which superficial wounds can be seen, no one has, so far contracted the disease through this practice (Summary)

Ethnoveterinary medicines used in horses in Trinidad and Tobago

Plants used as ethnoveterinary remedies for horses in Trinidad are also used in Caribbean folk medicine. Interviews with racehorse owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys and grooms determined that seventeen medicinal plants are used in equine ethnoveterinary medicine in Trinidad. Psidium guajava (L.) and Musa (L.) species are used for diarrhoea. Aloe vera (L.) Burm. F, Nopalea cochinellifera (L.), and Ricinus communis (L.) are used for tendon problems. Panicum maximum (Jacq.) and Cordia curassavica (Jacq) Roem and Schult are utilised for grooming. Ricinus communis (L.) and Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. are employed as poultices for hoof abscesses and sore joints. Curcuma longa (L.) is used for swellings. Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) is used as an anthelmintic. Mucuna pruriens (L.) is utilised as an irritant to enhance performance. Curcuma longa (L.) and Aloe vera are employed for retained placenta. Momordica charantia (L.) is used as a tonic, for skin rashes and for improved digestion. Aloe vera is used for digestive problems and Cecropia peltata (L.), to treat bleeders. Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) and Pimenta racemosa (Mill.) J.W. Moore are used to increase perspiration (diaphoretics/sudorifics) and hence cool horses. Cecropia peltata (L.) is used for respiratory problems. Nasturtium officinale (R BR) is used to increase blood counts. Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth. and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.) Vahl. are used as high protein feeds (AU)