Emerging source of infection - Mycobacterium tuberculosis in rescue dogs: a case report.

Rescue dog activity is a heavily increasing form of dog charity. Imported homeless dogs represent a reservoir of zoonotic diseases putting owners, veterinarians and pathologists repeatedly at risk. The clinical signs of tuberculosis in a dog are non-specific and diagnosis is often delayed or dismissed. We present a case of 9 months of possible exposure at home and definite exposure at laparotomy and autopsy to intestinal tuberculosis in a family dog imported from Romania to Finland. Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms started 2 years after the import. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting proceeded and led to spontaneous death. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the liver, lymph nodes and intestine at autopsy. Exposed persons were notified and follow-up was provided, and no further infections were identified within 12 months of follow-up. The heavily increasing import of companion animals presents unexpected public health risks, such as prolonged exposure to tuberculosis, of which the general public is not aware. The dramatic consequences and high costs of tuberculosis could be reduced through accessible information of the risks of imported animals to both the general public and veterinarians, in addition to availability of rapid diagnostics and proper personal protection.

Control of paratuberculosis: who, why and how. A review of 48 countries.

Paratuberculosis, a chronic disease affecting ruminant livestock, is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). It has direct and indirect economic costs, impacts animal welfare and arouses public health concerns. In a survey of 48 countries we found paratuberculosis to be very common in livestock. In about half the countries more than 20% of herds and flocks were infected with MAP. Most countries had large ruminant populations (millions), several types of farmed ruminants, multiple husbandry systems and tens of thousands of individual farms, creating challenges for disease control. In addition, numerous species of free-living wildlife were infected. Paratuberculosis was notifiable in most countries, but formal control programs were present in only 22 countries. Generally, these were the more highly developed countries with advanced veterinary services. Of the countries without a formal control program for paratuberculosis, 76% were in South and Central America, Asia and Africa while 20% were in Europe. Control programs were justified most commonly on animal health grounds, but protecting market access and public health were other factors. Prevalence reduction was the major objective in most countries, but Norway and Sweden aimed to eradicate the disease, so surveillance and response were their major objectives. Government funding was involved in about two thirds of countries, but operations tended to be funded by farmers and their organizations and not by government alone. The majority of countries (60%) had voluntary control programs. Generally, programs were supported by incentives for joining, financial compensation and/or penalties for non-participation. Performance indicators, structure, leadership, practices and tools used in control programs are also presented. Securing funding for long-term control activities was a widespread problem. Control programs were reported to be successful in 16 (73%) of the 22 countries. Recommendations are made for future control programs, including a primary goal of establishing an international code for paratuberculosis, leading to universal acknowledgment of the principles and methods of control in relation to endemic and transboundary disease. An holistic approach across all ruminant livestock industries and long-term commitment is required for control of paratuberculosis.

Human cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398, Finland.

Nationwide surveillance identified 10 human isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) 398. Further typing in comparison with animal isolates identified 4 clusters: 1 related to a horse epidemic and 3 to persons who had no direct contact with animals or each other. These findings may indicate unrecognized community transmission.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI (CA VI) expression in rat lower airways and lung.

Carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme VI (CA VI), which is transported in high concentrations in saliva and milk into the alimentary tract, is an important element of mucosal protection in the upper alimentary tract. Like alimentary tract mucosa, the respiratory tract mucosa is also exposed to heavy microbial, physical, and chemical stress. The protective and renewal-promoting factors present in the surface mucus of the respiratory tract are mainly produced by the seromucous tracheobronchial glands. Here we studied the secretion of CA VI by these glands in adult and developing rats using immunohistochemical techniques. The serous acinar and duct cells of the tracheobronchial glands stained for CA VI. The presence of the enzyme also in the duct content indicates its active secretion into the surface mucus. CA VI was also visible in the secretory cells and at the base of the ciliated cells of the tracheobronchial surface epithelium. Moreover, the Clara cells of the bronchiolar surface epithelium stained for CA VI. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that CA VI has a mucosa-protective role not only in the gastrointestinal tract but also in the respiratory tract, where CA VI may act as a pivotal pH neutralizer and growth factor.

Mycobacterium palustre sp. nov., a potentially pathogenic, slowly growing mycobacterium isolated from clinical and veterinary specimens and from Finnish stream waters.

Taxonomic studies were performed on a phenotypically homogeneous group of 13 mycobacteria isolated from clinical, veterinary and stream-water samples. The methods applied included chromatographic analyses of bacterial lipids, biochemical tests and sequencing of the 16S rDNA and the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region. Positive results in urease, Tween 80 hydrolysis and pyrazinamidase tests and a negative result in a semi-quantitative catalase test, combined with the ability to grow at 42 degrees C, distinguished this group among the yellow-pigmented, slowly growing mycobacteria. Unique fatty acid and mycolic acid profiles in chromatographic analyses and the results of gene sequencing indicated that the novel isolates represent a previously undescribed species, for which the name Mycobacterium palustre sp. nov. is proposed. The fatty acid profile obtained by GLC was characterized by the presence of several methyl-branched fatty acid markers. The most prominent markers were 2-methyleicosanoic, tetracosanoic and hexacosanoic acids. According to 16S rDNA sequencing, M. palustre is phylogenetically closest to Mycobacterium kubicae, a recently described species. M. palustre gives a false-positive result in a hybridization test with the AccuProbe Mycobacterium avium complex. One of the strains was isolated from a lymph-node biopsy from a child with cervical lymphadenitis. Thus, M. palustre should be listed among potential inducers of paediatric lymphadenitis. The veterinary isolates originated from the lymph nodes of slaughter pigs. The majority of the strains were recovered from natural waters, which highlights the role of the environment as a source of potentially pathogenic mycobacteria. The type strain of M. palustre is strain E846T (= DSM 44572T = ATCC BAA-377T).