New Observations Allowing the Differentiation of Late Asexual Stages of Cystoisospora canis from Developing Microgamonts in the Intestines of Experimentally Infected Dogs.

The coccidian parasite Cystoisospora canis (syn. Isospora canis) can cause clinical disease in dogs. Three generations of meronts are reported to occur in the small intestine of experimentally infected dogs before gametogony and oocyst formation. Oocyst excretion in the feces occurs at 9 to 11 days post-inoculation (PI). We examined the late asexual and sexual development of C. canis in 2 dogs necropsied 10 days after oral inoculation with 100,000 sporulated C. canis oocysts; both dogs had excreted oocysts 9 days PI. Asexual and sexual stages were seen in the lamina propria, throughout the small intestine in sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin from both dogs. In other studies of the C. canis life cycle, little attention has been given to distinguishing the last asexual generation of meronts and early microgamonts that can appear similar due to their stage of maturation and both having multiple nuclei. Here we report newly identified features of developing meronts and microgamonts and their distinction from each other by using sections processed using the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction. Using this method, we demonstrated that PAS-positive granules could be used to identify microgamonts and differentiate them from developing meront stages. These findings will aid pathologists and others in properly identifying coccidial parasites, in determining the cause of microscopic lesions in intestinal tissue, and in accurately identifying etiological agents.

Re-Evaluation of Asynchronous Asexual Development of Cystoisospora canis in Intestines of Dogs.

The coccidian parasite Cystoisospora canis (syn. Isospora canis) can cause clinical disease in dogs. Three generation of schizonts have been reported in the small intestine of dogs before oocysts are excreted 9-11 days post inoculation (PI). Here, we re-evaluated asexual development of C. canis in 2 dogs necropsied 10 days after oral inoculation with 100,000 C. canis oocysts; both dogs had excreted oocysts 9 days PI. Asexual and sexual stages were seen in the lamina propria throughout the small intestine. Merozoites of different sizes were present, often in the same vacuole. They were arranged singly, in pairs, and many within a single parasitophorous vacuole. The maximum number of nuclei within developing merozoites in a group was 8, but it could not be discerned if they were individual nuclei or parts of merozoites. Findings of abundant asexual stages 1 day after dogs had started excreting oocysts indicated continued asexual multiplication beyond the prepatent period. The stages found resemble the 3 generations reported previously. The mode of division of the asexual generations remains unclear. The results of the present study indicate that there are many generations that are difficult to determine because of the multiplication of merozoites in the original host cell without leaving it to enter new host cells. From the literature, it is evident that cat and dog coccidia ( Cystoisospora spp.) divide by more than 1 type of division, including endodyogeny. In the past, the schizont/meront groups containing more than 1 generation have been called "cysts." However, cyst is not an accurate term because it is best used for an orally infective stage of coccidia; monozoic tissue cysts of C. canis can occur in paratenic hosts in extraintestinal organs. We recommend the term "types" as originally proposed for intestinal stages of Toxoplasma gondii and used for the original description of the life cycle of C. suis of swine when describing endogenous stages of the Sarcocystidae. Ultrastructural studies are needed to determine the precise form of multiplication of canine Cystoisospora species.

Sarcocystis strixi n. sp. from a Barred Owl ( Strix varia) Definitive Host and Interferon Gamma Gene Knockout Mice as Experimental Intermediate Host.

Here we report a new species of Sarcocystis with a barred owl ( Strix varia) as the natural definitive host and interferon gamma gene knockout (KO) mice as an experimental intermediate host. A barred owl submitted to the Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville, North Carolina, was euthanized because of paralysis. Fully sporulated 12.5 × 9.9 µm sporocysts were found in intestinal scrapings from the owl. Sporocysts from the barred owl were orally fed to 4 laboratory-reared outbred Swiss Webster (SW) ( Mus musculus) and 8 KO mice. All mice remained asymptomatic. Microscopic sarcocysts were found in all 5 KO mice euthanized on day 32, 59, 120, 154, and 206 post-inoculation (PI), not in KO mice euthanized on day 4, 8, and 14 PI. Sarcocysts were not found in any SW mice euthanized on day 72, 120, 206, and 210 PI. Sarcocysts were microscopic, up to 70 µm wide. By light microscopy, the sarcocyst wall < 2 µm thick had undulating, flat to conical, protrusions of varying dimensions. Numerous sarcocysts were seen in the histological sections of tongue and skeletal muscles from the abdomen, limbs, and eye but not in the heart. By transmission electron microscopy, the sarcocyst wall was "type 1j." The ground substance layer (gs) was homogenous, up to 2 µm thick, with very fine granules, and a few vesicles concentrated toward the villar projections. No microtubules were seen in the gs. Longitudinally cut bradyzoites at 206 days PI were 7.8 × 2.2 µm. Based on molecular characterization using 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and cox1 genes and morphology of sarcocysts, the parasite in the present study was biologically and structurally different from species so far described, and we therefore propose a new species name, Sarcocystis strixi n. sp.

Sarcocystis pantherophisi n. sp., from Eastern Rat Snakes (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) as Definitive Hosts and Interferon Gamma Gene Knockout Mice as Experimental Intermediate Hosts.

Here, we report a new species, Sarcocystis pantherophisi n. sp., with the Eastern rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) as natural definitive host and the interferon gamma gene knockout (KO) mouse as the experimental intermediate host. Sporocysts (n = 15) from intestinal contents of the snake were 10.8 × 8.9 µm. Sporocysts were orally infective to KO mice but not to laboratory-raised albino outbred house mice (Mus musculus). The interferon gamma KO mice developed schizont-associated neurological signs, and schizonts were cultivated in vitro from the brain. Mature sarcocysts were found in skeletal muscles of KO mice examined 41 days postinoculation (PI). Sarcocysts were slender, up to 70 µm wide and up to 3.5 mm long. By light microscopy, sarcocysts appeared thin-walled (<1 µm) without projections. By transmission electron microscopy, the sarcocyst wall was a variant of "type 1" (type 1i, new designation). The parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (pvm) had approximately 100-nm-wide × 100-nm-long bleb-like evaginations interspersed with 100-nm-wide × 650-nm-long elongated protrusions at irregular distances, and invaginations into the ground substance layer (gs) for a very short distance (6 nm). The gs was smooth, up to 500 nm thick, without tubules, and contained a few vesicles. Longitudinally cut bradyzoites at 54 days PI were banana-shaped, 7.8 × 2.2 µm (n = 5). Molecular characterization using 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-1, and cox1 genes indicated a close relationship with other Sarcocystis parasites that have snake-rodent life cycles. The parasite in the present study was molecularly and biologically similar to a previously reported isolate (designated earlier as Sarcocystis sp. ex Pantherophis alleghaniensis) from P. alleghaniensis, and it was structurally different from other Sarcocystis species so far described.

Sarcocystis jamaicensis n. sp., from Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) Definitive Host and IFN-γ Gene Knockout Mice as Experimental Intermediate Host.

Here, we report a new species of Sarcocystis with red-tailed hawk (RTH, Buteo jamaicensis) as the natural definitive host and IFN-γ gene knockout (KO) mice as an experimental intermediate host in which sarcocysts form in muscle. Two RTHs submitted to the Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville, North Carolina, were euthanized because they could not be rehabilitated and released. Fully sporulated 12.5 × 9.9-µm sized sporocysts were found in intestinal scrapings of both hawks. Sporocysts were orally fed to laboratory-reared outbred Swiss Webster mice (SW, Mus musculus) and also to KO mice. The sporocysts were infective for KO mice but not for SW mice. All SW mice remained asymptomatic, and neither schizonts nor sarcocysts were found in any SW mice euthanized on days 54, 77, 103 (n = 2) or 137 post-inoculation (PI). The KO mice developed neurological signs and were necropsied between 52 to 68 days PI. Schizonts/merozoites were found in all KO mice euthanized on days 52, 55 (n = 3), 59, 61 (n = 2), 66, and 68 PI and they were confined to the brain. The predominant lesion was meningoencephalitis characterized by perivascular cuffs, granulomas, and necrosis of the neural tissue. The schizonts/merozoites were located in neural tissue and were apparently extravascular. Brain homogenates from infected KO mice were infective to KO mice by subcutaneous inoculation and when seeded on to CV-1 cells. Microscopic sarcocysts were found in skeletal muscles of 5 of 8 KO mice euthanized between 55-61 days PI. Only a few sarcocysts were detected. Sarcocysts were microscopic, up to 3.5 mm long. When viewed with light microscopy, the sarcocyst wall appeared thin (<1 µm thick) and smooth. By transmission electron microscopy, the sarcocyst wall classified as "type 1j" (new designation). Molecular characterization using 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-1, and cox1 genes revealed a close relationship with Sarcocystis microti and Sarcocystis glareoli; both species infect birds as definitive hosts. The parasite in the present study was biologically and molecularly different from species so far described in RTHs and we therefore propose a new species name, Sarcocystis jamaicensis n. sp.

Isolation, Culture and Cryopreservation of Sarcocystis species.

More than 200 valid Sarcocystis species have been described in the parasitological literature. The developmental life cycle in the intermediate host and definitive host has only been described for a few species. Sarcocystis parasites are common pathogens infecting a wide range of animals, including humans, and this unit reviews the methods used for isolating infective stages of the parasite from both definitive and intermediate host(s), as well as methods used to initiate cultures from sporocysts and merozoites and for cryopreservation of various Sarcocystis spp. These methods are based on published reports and our experience with Sarcocystis species in cell culture over many years. The information presented is suitable for the efficient culture of many Sarcocystis species; however, some minor modifications may be needed based on the unique developmental patterns of some species. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Antibody Prevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Women from Multan, Pakistan.

Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and warm-blooded animals. Maternal infections during pregnancy may have devastating consequences for transplacentally infected neonates. This study was conducted to examine the seroprevalence of antibodies to T. gondii in pregnant women of childbearing age and determine risk factors associated with pregnancy history, pet ownership, social and cultural factors at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Samples were collected from 403 women and examined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii was 17.6% (71) in the 403 samples collected from women. Antibodies to T. gondii were present in 19.4% (45) of 232 pregnant women and 15.2% (26) of the samples from 171 non-pregnant women. This study identified miscarriage history, pet ownership, type of residence, marital status, source of drinking water and eating habits as significant (P < 0.05) risk factors associated with the presence of antibodies to T. gondii infection. Seroprevalence was not significantly different (P > 0.05) in women from different ethnic groups based upon lifestyle and culture.

Comparison of Legionella longbeachae and Legionella pneumophila cases in Scotland; implications for diagnosis, treatment and public health response.

The reported incidence of Legionnaires' disease caused by Legionella longbeachae has increased since 2008 in Scotland. While microbiological and epidemiological studies have identified exposure to growing media as a risk factor for infection, little is known about the differences regarding disease risk factors, clinical features and outcomes of infection with L. longbeachae when compared with L. pneumophila. A nested case-case study was performed comparing 12 L. longbeachae cases with 25 confirmed L. pneumophila cases. Fewer L. longbeachae infected patients reported being smokers [27% (95% CI 2-52%) vs. 68% (95% CI 50-86%), P = 0.034] but more L. longbeachae patients experienced breathlessness [67% (95% CI 40-94%) vs. 28% (95% CI 10-46%), P = 0.036]. Significantly more L. longbeachae-infected patients received treatment in intensive care [50% (95% CI 22-78%) vs. 12% (95% CI 0-25%), P = 0.036]. However, the differences in diagnostic methods between the two groups may have led to only the most severe cases of L. longbeachae being captured by the surveillance system. No differences were observed in any of the other pre-hospital symptoms assessed. Our results highlight the similarity of Legionnaires' disease caused by L. pneumophila and L. longbeachae, and reinforce the importance of diagnostic tools other than the urinary antigen assays for the detection of non-L. pneumophila species. Unfortunately, cases of community-acquired pneumonia caused by Legionella species will continue to be underdiagnosed unless routine testing criteria changes.

Experimental transmission of Cystoisospora felis-like coccidium from bobcat (Lynx rufus) to the domestic cat (Felis catus).

Cystoisospora felis is an ubiquitous coccidian of cats. The domestic cat (Felis catus) is its definitive host and several mammalian and avian species are its optional intermediate/transport hosts. Nothing is known if it is transmissible to wild felids. In the present study C. felis-like oocysts were found in two naturally infected bobcats (Lynx rufus) from Pennsylvania. To study transmission of C. felis-like parasite from bobcats to domestic cats, sporulated oocysts of C. felis-like from one bobcat were orally inoculated into interferon gamma gene knockout (KO) mice, and 56 days later tissues of KO mice were fed to two coccidian-free cats; two littermate cats were uninoculated controls. The inoculated cats and controls were euthanized five and seven days later, and their small intestines were studied histologically. One inoculated cat excreted C. felis-like oocysts seven days post inoculation (p.i.) and was immediately euthanized. Mature schizonts, mature male and female gamonts, and unsporulated oocysts were found in the lamina propria of small intestine; these stages were morphologically similar to C. felis of domestic cats. No parasites were seen in histological sections of small intestines of the remaining three cats. The experiment was terminated at seven days p.i. (minimum prepatent period for C. felis) to minimize spread of this highly infectious parasite to other cats. Although oocysts of the parasite in bobcats were morphologically similar to C. felis of domestic cats, the endogenous stages differed in their location of development. The bobcat derived parasite was located in the lamina propria of ileum whereas all endogenous stages of C. felis of domestic cats are always located in enterocytes of intestinal epithelium. Characterization of DNA isolated from C. felis-like oocysts from the donor bobcat revealed that sequences of the ITS1 region was only 87% similar to the ITS1 region of C. felis from domestic cats. These results indicate that the parasite in bobcat is likely different than C. felis of cats.

Prevalence of IgG Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Veterinary and Undergraduate Students at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed parasitic protozoan that infects humans and other warm-blooded vertebrates. Felids are the only definitive host for T. gondii, and they excrete oocysts in their faeces. The national prevalence in humans is declining in the United States. This zoonotic organism is of particular interest due to its importance in pregnant women, in individuals with altered immune systems, and in reactivated ocular infections. Exposure to the parasite in humans is usually associated with consumption of raw or undercooked meat or by accidental ingestion of oocysts. It was hypothesized that veterinary students would have a greater chance at exposure to the parasite than an average population of undergraduate students due to increased contact with cats who are infected. A commercially available ELISA was used to examine serum samples from 336 students (252 veterinary students and 84 undergraduate students) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for serum IgG antibodies to T. gondii antigen. The prevalence of T. gondii in these subjects was 5.6% in veterinary school students (n = 252) and 2.4% in undergraduates (n = 84). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in veterinary versus undergraduate students. The overall prevalence of 4.8% in all students in this study reflects the continuing decline of antibodies to T. gondii in humans in the United States.

Legionella spp. in UK composts--a potential public health issue?

Over the past 5 years, a number of cases of legionellosis in Scotland have been associated with compost use; however, studies investigating sources of infection other than water systems remain limited. This study delivers the first comprehensive survey of composts commonly available in the UK for the presence of Legionella species. Twenty-two store-bought composts, one green-waste compost and one home-made compost were tested for Legionella by culture methods on BCYE-α medium, and the findings were confirmed by macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip) speciation. Twenty-two of the samples were retested after an enrichment period of 8 weeks. In total, 15 of 24 composts tested positive for Legionella species, a higher level of contamination than previously seen in Europe. Two isolates of Legionella pneumophila were identified, and Legionella longbeachae serogroup 1 was found to be one of the most commonly isolated species. L. longbeachae infection would not be detected by routine Legionella urinary antigen assay, so such testing should not be used as the sole diagnostic technique in atypical pneumonia cases, particularly where there is an association with compost use. The occurrence of Legionella in over half of the samples tested indicates that compost could pose a public health risk. The addition of general hygiene warnings to compost packages may be beneficial in protecting public health.

Gurltia paralysans (Wolffhügel, 1933): description of adults and additional case reports of neurological diseases in three domestic cats from southern Chile.

Adults of Gurltia paralysans were obtained from veins of the spinal cord subarachnoid space from three domestic cats presenting with chronic paraparesis/paraplegia from rural areas of southern Chile. Four adult nematodes were collected (2 males and 2 females) were recovered from cat 1, 14 adult nematodes (12 females and 2 males) from cat 2, and 12 nematodes (10 females and 2 males) were collected from cat 3. Parasite induced lesions that compromised subarachnoid vein microvasculature at the thoracic, lumbar, sacral spinal cord segments extending to conus medularis. Female nematodes measured 25 mm long (range=25-30 mm) and 0.1mm wide. Male measured a mean of 16 mm length (range=13-18 mm) with a body diameter of 0.1mm (range=0.08-0.15 mm). The present study described structural features of G. paralysans, a rare parasite first reported in the 1930s, and provides additional reports on associated clinical and pathological findings in naturally infected domestic cats.

Legionella longbeachae serogroup 1 infections linked to potting compost.

Four cases of legionellosis caused by Legionella longbeachae serogroup (sg) 1 were identified in Scotland from 2008 to 2010. All case patients had exposure to commercially manufactured growing media or potting soils, commonly known as multipurpose compost (MPC), in greenhouse conditions, prior to disease onset. Two patients had been using the same brand of MPC but the clinical isolates were distinct genotypically by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. However, an indistinguishable AFLP profile was also found in an environmental isolate from the supply of MPC used by each patient. The third patient was diagnosed by immunofluorescent antibody serology only; however, the MPC to which this patient was exposed contained L. longbeachae sg 1 in large quantities (80 000 c.f.u. g(-1)). The fourth patient was L. longbeachae sg 1 culture-positive, but L. longbeachae was not identified from 10 samples of garden composting material. As compost is commonly used, but L. longbeachae infection seemingly rare, further work is required to ascertain (i) the prevalence and predictors of L. longbeachae in compost and (ii) the conditions which facilitate transmission and generate an aerosol of the bacteria. As most cases of legionellosis are diagnosed by urinary antigen that is Legionella pneumophila-specific and does not detect infection with L. longbeachae, patients in cases of community-acquired pneumonia with a history of compost exposure should have serum and respiratory samples sent to a specialist Legionella reference laboratory for analysis.

Toxoplasma gondii: the changing paradigm of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Researchers have learned much concerning the population biology of Toxoplasma gondii over the past 2 decades. It is now apparent that many atypical genotypes exist besides the typical 3 genotypes (type I, type II and type III) first described from samples from Europe and the United States. These genotypes can differ in pathogenicity and transmissibility from the typical genotypes that have been used in the majority of scientific research over the past 70 years. These differences impact much of what we used to believe as facts about congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) and will be important in developing new recommendations for prevention of CT and the monitoring of women at risk for developing CT. The present review highlights new information on T. gondii genotypes and how this information will change the way we convey information about CT to pregnant women, physicians and students.

Effects of high pressure processing on hatching of eggs of the zoonotic rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta.

High hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP) is an effective non-thermal treatment to remove pathogens from a variety of food and food products. It has been extensively examined using prokaryotic organisms but has had limited study on eukaryotic organisms. Treatment using HPP has been shown to be effective in inactivating nematode larvae in food and Ascaris suum eggs. Nothing is known on the efficacy of HPP on tapeworm cysts or eggs. Eggs of important zoonotic tapeworms including Echinococcus and Taenia spp. can potentially contaminate water and food intended for human consumption. The present study examined the efficacy of HPP on the viability of Hymenolepis diminuta eggs. Efficacy of HPP treatment was measured using an egg hatch assay in two experiments. One thousand unhatched H. diminuta eggs in Hanks balanced salt solution were packaged in sealable bags and exposed to 100-600megapascals (MPa; 1MPa=10atm=147psi) for 60s in a commercial HPP unit. Positive (no HPP) and negative (No HPP but frozen/thawed) controls were examined in each experiment. None of the HPP untreated and frozen eggs (negative controls) were able to hatch or exclude trypan blue when placed in the hatching solution in experiment 1 or 2. HPP untreated and nonfrozen eggs (positive controls) hatched and excluded trypan blue; 75% were positive in experiment 1 and 80% were positive in experiment 2. No hatched eggs were observed when they were exposed to 300-600MPa for 60s. Treatment at 400MPa and above caused rupturing of the oncosphere. Results from this study indicate that HPP is a possible method to inactivate tapeworm eggs and that the susceptibility of tapeworm eggs to HPP is similar to or greater than that of nematode eggs or tissue larvae.

Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in dogs from Virginia.

Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi are zoonotic protozoan parasites that cause disseminated infections in many vertebrate species. The present study determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii and Tr. cruzi in a population of dogs from Virginia. Serum samples were tested from 90 domestic dogs collected from animal shelters in Virginia. Using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test, sera were examined at a 1 : 50 dilution and antibodies to T. gondii were found in 19 dogs (21%). Antibodies to Tr. cruzi were determined by qualitative immunochromatographic dipstick assay. One (1%) of the 90 dogs had Tr. cruzi antibodies and it was also seropositive for T. gondii. Our findings indicate that dogs are frequently exposed to T. gondii in Virginia, but that antibodies to Tr. cruzi are rare in the same geographical region.

Meningomyelitis due to nematode infection in four cats.

Spinal cord parasitic migrations in cats are uncommon. This report describes four cases of chronic hindlimb paraparesis in cats associated with nematode infection. Complete neurologic, hematologic, serum chemistry and radiographic examination was performed on all animals. Computed tomographic (CT)-myelographic examination at the lumbar area in one cat showed a slight swelling of the spinal cord. Necropsy examination of the spinal cord revealed generalized edema and marked submeningeal hemorrhage at the thoracic region in three cats. On histopathologic examination, numerous sections of adult nematodes and eggs were present in histological sections of the affected spinal cord segments in all cats. The morphologic features of the nematode, location and appearance of the lesions suggest that the parasite responsible for the paralysis in these cats is Gurltia paralysans.

Surveillance for antibodies to Leishmania spp. in dogs from Sri Lanka.

The global distribution of leishmaniasis is rapidly expanding into new geographic regions. Dogs are the primary reservoir hosts for human visceral leishmaniasis caused by infection with Leishmania infantum. Natural infections with other Leishmania spp. can occur in dogs, but their role as reservoir hosts for other species of Leishmania is uncertain. Leishmania donovani is traditionally considered a visceralizing anthroponotic species; however, cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani has been reported in Sri Lanka. In the present study, sera from 114 dogs in Sri Lanka were examined for antibodies to visceralizing Leishmania spp. Sera were tested by the canine immunochromatographic strip assays based on recombinant K39 antigen. Anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies were detectable in 1 of 114 (0.9%) dogs from Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, serological evidence suggests that leishmaniasis may be an emerging zoonosis in Sri Lanka.

Wild boars as sources for infectious diseases in livestock and humans.

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are indigenous in many countries in the world. These free-living swine are known reservoirs for a number of viruses, bacteria and parasites that are transmissible to domestic animals and humans. Changes of human habitation to suburban areas, increased use of lands for agricultural purposes, increased hunting activities and consumption of wild boar meat have increased the chances of exposure of wild boars to domestic animals and humans. Wild boars can act as reservoirs for many important infectious diseases in domestic animals, such as classical swine fever, brucellosis and trichinellosis, and in humans, diseases such as hepatitis E, tuberculosis, leptospirosis and trichinellosis. For examples, wild boars are reservoirs for hepatitis E virus, and cluster cases of hepatitis E have been reported in Japan of humans who consumed wild boar meat. In Canada, an outbreak of trichinellosis was linked to the consumption of wild boar meat. The incidence of tuberculosis owing to Mycobacterium bovis has increased in wild boars, thus posing a potential concern for infections in livestock and humans. It has also been documented that six hunters contracted Brucella suis infections from wild swine in Florida. This article discusses the prevalence and risk of infectious agents in wild boars and their potential transmission to livestock and humans.

Serological survey of Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs from urban areas of Brazil and Colombia.

Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma cruzi are zoonotic parasites that are endemic throughout many parts of Latin America. Infected dogs play an important role in transmission of both parasites to humans. A serological survey of Leishmania and Trypanosoma infection was conducted on 365 dogs from São Paulo, Brazil and Bogatá, Colombia, South America. Serum samples were examined by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected in 5 of 107 from Brazil (4.7%) and in 4 of 258 dogs (1.6%) from Colombia. Titers ranged from 1:25 to 1:100. Anti-T. cruzi antibodies were not detected in any of the dogs from either Brazil or Colombia. The results show a low prevalence of anti-Leishmania antibodies and no antibodies against T. cruzi in these canine populations. Our study suggests that dogs play a limited role in the spread of L. infantum and T. cruzi in these urban areas of Brazil and Colombia.