Wild lagomorphs as potential sources of Francisella tularensis in an urban zoo: a case study.

A 9-y-old captive male Pallas' cat (Otocolobus manul) had a 1-mo history of worsening lameness and was euthanized. The animal was submitted to the North Dakota State University-Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for autopsy with differential diagnoses of suspected degenerative joint disease or neoplasia. Autopsy revealed icteric tissues and pinpoint foci in the liver, spleen, and all lung lobes. PCR testing was positive for Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. Additional cases of tularemia were later identified in wild eastern cottontail rabbits found dead at the same urban zoo. Tularemia has been reported in captive non-human primates and rodent populations with one case linked to wild lagomorph exposure, which was likely the route of exposure in our Pallas' cat case. Tularemia is an occupational risk for zoo staff and laboratorians. Pest management and disease surveillance of wild lagomorph populations in zoos are important preventive measures.

Current state and future directions for veterinary antimicrobial resistance research.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical One Health concern with implications for human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), antimicrobial resistance testing (ART), and surveillance practices must be harmonized across One Health sectors to ensure consistent detection and reporting practices. Veterinary diagnostic laboratory stewardship, clinical outcomes studies, and training for current and future generations of veterinarians and laboratorians are necessary to minimize the spread of AMR and move veterinary medicine forward into an age of better antimicrobial use practices. The purpose of this article is to describe current knowledge gaps present in the literature surrounding ART, AST, and clinical or surveillance applications of these methods and to suggest areas where AMR research can fill these knowledge gaps. The related Currents in One Health by Maddock et al, JAVMA, March 2024, addresses current limitations to the use of genotypic ART methods in clinical veterinary practice.

A One Health perspective on the use of genotypic methods for antimicrobial resistance prediction.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global One Health concern with critical implications for the health of humans, animals, and the environment. Phenotypic methods of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing remain the gold standards for the detection of antimicrobial resistance and appropriate patient care; however, genotypic-based methods, such as PCR, whole genome sequencing, and metagenomic sequencing, for detection of genes conferring antimicrobial resistance are increasingly available without inclusion of appropriate standards for quality or interpretation. Misleading test results may lead to inappropriate antimicrobial treatment and, in turn, poor patient outcomes and the potential for increased incidence of antimicrobial resistance. This article explores the current landscape of clinical and methodological aspects of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and genotypic antimicrobial resistance test methods. Additionally, it describes the limitations associated with employing genotypic-based test methods in the management of veterinary patients from a One Health perspective. The companion Currents in One Health by Maddock et al, AJVR, March 2024, addresses current and future needs for veterinary antimicrobial resistance research.

ß-Lactam resistance in veterinary ß-hemolytic Streptococcus species: Are we experiencing a public health or test method crisis?

ß-Hemolytic Streptococcus (BHS) species are important pathogens with both human and veterinary significance. In human medicine, BHS are considered universally susceptible to ß-lactams while BHS of veterinary origin have been reported with up to 8% ß-lactam resistance. Recently, veterinary diagnostic laboratories were made aware of significant variability of test method performance for BHS among laboratories. This article explores potential sources of error in antimicrobial susceptibility test performance and result interpretation that may have contributed to the unusual rates of resistance to ß-lactams observed in this bacterial species. In addition, potential impacts to research, clinical practice, surveillance, and public health will be discussed.