Different epidemiological characteristics between patients with non-hospital-onset and hospital-onset candidemia: a retrospective cohort study.

Candidemia is a life-threatening infectious disease that has varying incidences. Previous studies revealed the differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes between non-hospital-onset (NHO) and hospital-onset (HO) candidemia. This 4-year retrospective research included adult patients with candidemia in a tertiary medical centre in Taiwan, and cases were categorised as NHO and HO candidemia. Survival analysis and risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models. The analysis included 339 patients, and the overall incidence was 1.50 per 1,000 admission person-year. Of the cases, 82 (24.18%) were NHO candidemia, and 57.52% (195/339) of patients were diagnosed with at least one malignancy. C. albicans was the most commonly isolated species, accounting for 52.21%. Patients with NHO candidemia had a higher proportion of C. glabrata but a lower ratio of C. tropicalis in comparison to the HO group. The all-cause in-hospital mortality rate was 55.75%. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models showed that NHO candidemia was a better outcome predictor (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.44). The administration of antifungal therapy within 2 days was a protective factor. In conclusion, NHO candidemia showed distinct microbiological characteristics and a better outcome than HO candidemia.

Employment of osmotic pump as a novel feeding system to operate the laminar-flow microfluidic microbial fuel cell.

Laminar-flow microfluidic microbial fuel cell (LMMFC) has attracted attention due to the advantage of the liquid-liquid interface between anolyte and catholyte without the use of membrane as a separator resulting in less fabrication cost. Unlike previous studies of LMMFC using syringe pumps, this study proposes the use of osmotic pumps to feed anolyte and catholyte in the microchannel without any additional power supply. The osmotic pump was constructed with two cylindrical chambers separated by a forward osmosis membrane, with the initial draw solution concentration of 90 g l-1 NaCl. We have, for the first time, demonstrated using the osmotic pumps to deliver both anolyte and catholyte and create co-laminar flow in LMMFC. Under the catholyte and anolyte flow rates of 18 ml/h and 40 ml/h respectively, LMMFC cultivated with Shewanella oneidensis produced the maximum power density of 87 mW m-2 and current density of 747 mA m-2 with the internal resistance of 1660 Ω. Further studies are warranted to develop osmotic pumps-fed LMMFC into a potential platform for portable biosensors.

Preparation of recombinant glycoprotein B (gB) of Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) for antibody production and its application for infection detection in sea turtles.

The Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) infection possibly associated to the fibropapillomatosis (FP) disease in sea turtles worldwide remains largely unknown and limited studies have used serological approaches to detection of antibodies against ChHV5 in sea turtles with or without FP. We aimed to develop diagnostic platforms based on the viral glycoprotein B (gB) for ChHV5 infection. In this study, five recombinant sub-fragments of the gB protein were successfully expressed and subsequently served as antigens for both seroprevalence and antibody production. The results indicated that the five expressed proteins harbored antigenicity, shown by the results of using sera from sea turtles that were PCR-positive for ChHV5. Moreover, seropositive sea turtles were significantly associated with FP (p < 0.05). We further used the expressed protein to produce antibodies for immunohistochemical analysis, and found that the in-house-generated sera specifically stained FP lesions while normal epithelium tissues remained negative. Of major importance, the reactivity in the ballooning degeneration area was much stronger than that in other regions of the FP lesion/tumour, thus indicating ChHV5 viral activities. In summary, the developed serological test and specific anti-gB antibodies for IHC analysis could be applied for further understanding of epidemiological distributions of ChHV5 infection in sea turtles, and studies of ChHV5 pathogenesis.

Potential Risk Factors Associated with Infection with Bovine Leukaemia Virus in Dairy and Beef Cattle in Taiwan.

Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV), which is classified as a Deltaretrovirus, is the aetiologic agent of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), a chronic lymphoproliferative disorder with a worldwide distribution. EBL is widespread in dairy herds and causes a direct economic impact due to reduced milk production and the early culling of BLV-infected cattle. The BLV infection status in Taiwan remains largely unknown; a high prevalence of BLV in dairy cows was recently revealed. The present study further investigated BLV infections in beef cattle. Surprisingly, the prevalence of BLV proviral DNA was as low as 11.8% (23/195), which is significantly lower than that noted in dairy cows, which was 42.5% (102/240) (p < 0.001). Factors associated with BLV infections were subsequently investigated. Due to the differences in herd management, an analysis of risk factors for a BLV infection was independently conducted in these two sectors. Several factors associated with a BLV infection were identified. Age was significantly associated with BLV infection status in dairy cows (p < 0.001) but not in beef cattle. A high prevalence of BLV was observed in cattle >15.5 months old (57.8%) compared with those ≤15.5 months old (11.4%). Moreover, after stratification analysis, based on the critical age of 15.5 months, as determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, a significantly higher BLV prevalence was demonstrated in lactating dairy cows, cattle undergoing bull breeding, heifers at older ages, and those undergoing routine rectal palpation. Due to the high prevalence of BLV in Taiwan, the development of an effective control program, based on the identified risk factors, is important for interrupting the routes of BLV transmission within herds.

Effect of administering dexmedetomidine with or without atropine on cardiac troponin I level in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.

We aimed to determine whether dexmedetomidine administration with or without atropine increases cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level in healthy dogs. We hypothesized that 10 µg/kg dexmedetomidine + atropine increases the cTnI level, whereas 5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine + atropine does not. Eighteen healthy, pet dogs that underwent an orthopedic surgery or ovariohysterectomy were included in this study. The dogs were randomly assigned to atropine (0.02 mg/kg)-dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg), saline-dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg), and atropine (0.02 mg/kg)-dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) groups. Each dog was premedicated with atropine or saline intramuscularly (IM). After 10 min, they were IM injected with dexmedetomidine (10 or 5 µg/kg)-morphine (0.5 mg/kg)-midazolam (0.2 mg/kg). Following this, anesthesia was induced after 10 min with propofol and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. The median plasma cTnI level at 6, 12 and 24 hr after premedication was significantly higher than that at baseline. The cTnI level in the atropine-dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) group was significantly higher than that in the saline-dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) and atropine-dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) groups at 6 and 12 hr after premedication. The cTnI level returned to normal within 72 hr after premedication in all groups. The administration of atropine in combination with 10 µg/kg dexmedetomidine increased the cTnI level, indicating subclinical myocardial damage.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced ovulation occurs later but with equal occurrence in lactating dairy cows: comparing hCG and gonadotropin-releasing hormone protocols.

This study assessed the effects of two hormones, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), on ovulatory responses during different diestrous stages in lactating dairy cows. Estrous cycles of 21 cows were synchronized and were enrolled in stage 1 of the experiment. The cows were treated with a prostaglandin (PG) F2α analog either 9 to 10 days [mid-diestrus (MD) group] or 5.5 to 6.5 days [early-diestrus (ED) group] after synchronized ovulation (day 0 = first PGF2α administration). On day 2, the cows were administrated 250 µg GnRH or 3000 IU hCG. Ovulation was determined every 2 h from 24 to 36 h after GnRH or hCG administration, and then every 4 h up to 72 h until ovulation. Cows in stage 2 were administered these treatments in the reverse order. The results indicated that average ovulation times in cows treated with GnRH in the MD group (GnRH-MD group) and cows treated with GnRH in the ED group (GnRH-ED group) were 30.0 ± 1.0 h and 28.8 ± 0.4 h, respectively. However, ovulation times for cows treated with hCG in the MD group (hCG-MD group) and cows treated with hCG in the ED group (hCG-ED group) were 35.8 ± 4.6 h and 32.8 ± 2.2 h, respectively, and ovulation occurred significantly later in the hCG-treated groups than in the GnRH-treated groups. In summary, we found that hCG-induced ovulation occurred later than GnRH-induced ovulation regardless of different diestrous peroids; however, the two treatments did not differ in terms of percentage of ovulation.

Serial measurements of cardiac troponin I in heart failure secondary to canine mitral valve disease.

Serial measurements of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels are considered to be better predictors of cardiac death than single-time-point analyses in human medicine. We hypothesised that cTnI levels could reflect the severity of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), and that serial changes in the cTnI level had a prognostic value in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to MMVD. Seventy-six dogs were initially enrolled and classified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) staging system. The single-timepoint cTnI concentration in these dogs significantly increased with the ACVIM stage. Twenty-seven dogs with CHF subsequently underwent serial measurement of cTnI levels, and the results showed that those who demonstrated a decrease in cTnI levels from the first to the third visit exhibited a higher risk of cardiac death than did those without such changes (P=0.012). We suspect that the downward trend in cTnI levels may be affected by medical treatment for CHF. In conclusion, although cTnI levels could reflect the severity of MMVD to a certain extent, the serial changes may be affected by medical treatment. Therefore, caution should be exercised when cTnI is used for assessment of the prognosis of CHF secondary to MMVD in dogs.

Expression and the molecular forms of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in canine mammary tumours.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a new biomarker for renal injury. It is also involved in tumorigenesis of different human cancer types. The oncogenic role of NGAL is related to its molecular forms, and heterodimer formation with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) promotes human breast cancer (HBC) invasion and metastasis. To date, the levels of NGAL and NGAL/MMP9 complex have not yet been explored in canine mammary tumours (CMTs). Hence, this study aimed to investigate whether NGAL and its molecular forms could be the biomarker for CMT diagnosis. To this end, expression profile of NGAL and MMP9 in mammary epithelial cells as well as in urine samples were detected. By immunohistochemistry staining, NGAL was expressed at variable levels. Unlike HBC, a significant reduction in NGAL expression was demonstrated in benign and malignant CMTs as compared with normal controls. Additionally, NGAL expression was significantly reduced in dogs with metastatic CMTs. By contrast, the mean score of MMP9 expression in ascending order was normal groups, benign, and malignant CMTs. Interestingly, analysis of the molecular form revealed the NGAL/MMP9 complex presents in most mammary tissues and urine of dogs with benign or malignant CMTs, whereas the complex was absent in samples from dogs without CMTs. In conclusion, NGAL and MMP9 are ubiquitously expressed in canine mammary epithelial cells in normal and cancerous status. However, the NGAL/MMP9 complex exclusively presents in mammary tissues and urine of dogs with tumours.

Bovine lactoferrin and piroxicam as an adjunct treatment for lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis stomatitis in cats.

Feline lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis/stomatitis (LPGS) or caudal stomatitis is an inflammatory disease that causes painfully erosive lesions and proliferations of the oral mucosa. The disease is difficult to cure and can affect cats at an early age, resulting in lifetime therapy. In this study, a new treatment using a combination of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) oral spray and oral piroxicam was investigated using a randomized double-blinded clinical trial in 13 cats with caudal stomatitis. Oral lesion grading and scoring of clinical signs were conducted during and after the trial to assess treatment outcome. Oral mucosal biopsies were used to evaluate histological changes during and after treatment. Clinical signs were significantly improved in 77% of the cats. In a 4-week study, clinical signs were considerably ameliorated by oral piroxicam during the first 2 weeks. In a 12-week study, the combined bLf oral spray and piroxicam, when compared with piroxicam alone, exhibited an enhanced effect that reduced the severity of the oral lesions (P = 0.059), while also significantly improving clinical signs (P <0.05), quality of life (P <0.05), and weight gain (P <0.05). The remission of oral inflammation was closely correlated with the decreased number of macrophages (OR = 4.719, P < 0.05). There was no detectable influence on liver or kidney function during a 12-week assessment. It was concluded that combining oral bLf spray and piroxicam was safe and might be used to decrease the clinical signs of caudal stomatitis in cats.

Expression of MAGE--A restricted to testis and ovary or to various cancers in dogs.

Expression of MAGE-A protein, a family of cancer/testis antigens, was investigated in normal and neoplastic canine tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of cross-reactions between a mouse anti-human MAGE-A proteins including MAGE-A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -A6, -A10, and -A12 monoclonal antibody and canine proteins, showed positive immunoreactivity only in testicular spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and ovary oocytes. The immunoreaction was negative in all other tissues tested, including normal tissues of the skin, gingiva, muscle, adipose, connective, salivary gland, lymph node, intestinal mucosa, mammary gland, liver, cartilage, oviduct, endometrium, cerebrum and cerebellum. Use of a scoring system in the investigated tumors showed positive immunoreactivity in 75% (21/28) of melanomas including oral, cutaneous, eyelid, and interdigital melanomas; in 68.7% (22/32) of oral and nasal tumors; in 52.5% (21/40) discrete round cell tumors; and in 40.5% (15/37) of soft tissue sarcomas. Different tumor types also showed large difference in percentage of MAGE-A expression. Although oral squamous cell carcinomas, multicentric lymphomas and extraosseous osteosarcomas showed no expression, overexpression occurred in oral melanomas (81.82%, 18/21), malignant nasal tumors (100%, 3/3) and in transmissible venereal tumors (100%, 10/10). Based on the characteristic expression of MAGE-A in canine germ cells and in various neoplasms, MAGE-A has potential use as an indicator of malignancy but is probably unsuitable for strictly diagnostic purposes (i.e., diagnosis of tumor type).

Application of purified recombinant antigenic spike fragments to the diagnosis of avian infectious bronchitis virus infection.

The spike (S) protein, containing two subunits, S1 and S2, is the major immunity-eliciting antigen of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a highly contagious disease of chickens. Several immunogenic regions, mainly located within the S1 subunit, have been identified. Nonetheless, these immune-dominant regions were defined using selected monoclonal antibodies or using a short peptide approach that involves only certain limited regions of the S protein. In addition, some immune-dominant regions are located in hypervariable regions (HVRs) which are not present in all serotypes. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine a broader range of antigenic regions that have strong antibody eliciting ability; these could then be applied for development of an IBV-diagnostic tool. Initially, the S1 and part of the S2 subunit protein (24-567 amino acids) were expressed as five fragments in prokaryotic system. The antigenicity was confirmed using IBV immunized sera. Performance of the S subfragments was evaluated by ELISA using a panel of field chicken sera with known IBV titres determined by a commercial kit. This indicated that, among the five antigenic recombinant proteins, the region S-E showed the highest specificity and sensitivity, namely 95.38 % and 96.29 %, respectively. The κ value for the in-house ELISA using the S-E fragment compared to a commercial kit was 0.9172, indicating a high agreement between these two methods. As region S-E harbors strong immunogenicity within the spike protein, it has the potential to be exploited as an antigen when developing a cost-effective ELISA-based diagnosis tool.

Identification of Escherichia coli genes associated with urinary tract infections.

Escherichia coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). E. coli genes epidemiologically associated with UTIs are potentially valuable in developing strategies for treating and/or preventing such infections as well as differentiating uropathogenic E. coli from nonuropathogenic E. coli. To identify E. coli genes associated with UTIs in humans, we combined microarray-based and PCR-based analyses to investigate different E. coli source groups derived from feces of healthy humans and from patients with cystitis, pyelonephritis, or urosepsis. The cjrABC-senB gene cluster, sivH, sisA, sisB, eco274, and fbpB, were identified to be associated with UTIs. Of these, cjrABC-senB, sisA, sisB, and fbpB are known to be involved in urovirulence in the mouse model of ascending UTI. Our results provide evidence to support their roles as urovirulence factors in human UTIs. In addition, the newly identified UTI-associated genes were mainly found in members of phylogenetic groups B2 and/or D.

Bartonella species in small mammals and their ectoparasites in Taiwan.

Bartonella spp. prevalence in small mammals and their ectoparasites was investigated in Taiwan. Blood samples were obtained from 66 rats, 20 shrews, 276 mites (Laelaps spp.), 74 fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis), 81 lice (Polyplax spp.), and 47 ticks (41 Dermacentor spp. and 6 Ixodes spp.). Bartonellae were isolated or detected in 27 (31.4%) animals. Bartonella DNA was detected in 48 (64.9%) fleas and 11 (64.7%) pooled lice samples, but not in mite and tick samples. Bartonella phoceensis, B. queenslandensis, B. tribocorum, B. elizabethae, and B. rattimassiliensis were isolated or detected in bacteremic mammals. For the first time in Taiwan, B. tribocorum, B. elizabethae, B. queenslandensis, and a B. rochalimae-like strain were detected in fleas, and B. tribocorum, B. phoceensis, and B. rattimassiliensis were detected in lice obtained from small mammals. A broader range of Bartonella species was identified in the ectoparasites than in the small mammals.

Mouse mammary tumor virus-like nucleotide sequences in canine and feline mammary tumors.

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been speculated to be involved in human breast cancer. Companion animals, dogs, and cats with intimate human contacts may contribute to the transmission of MMTV between mouse and human. The aim of this study was to detect MMTV-like nucleotide sequences in canine and feline mammary tumors by nested PCR. Results showed that the presence of MMTV-like env and LTR sequences in canine malignant mammary tumors was 3.49% (3/86) and 18.60% (16/86), respectively. For feline malignant mammary tumors, the presence of both env and LTR sequences was found to be 22.22% (2/9). Nevertheless, the MMTV-like LTR and env sequences also were detected in normal mammary glands of dogs and cats. In comparisons of the MMTV-like DNA sequences of our findings to those of NIH 3T3 (MMTV-positive murine cell line) and human breast cancer cells, the sequence similarities ranged from 94 to 98%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that intermixing among sequences identified from tissues of different hosts, i.e., mouse, dog, cat, and human, indicated the MMTV-like DNA existing in these hosts. Moreover, the env transcript was detected in 1 of the 19 MMTV-positive samples by reverse transcription-PCR. Taken together, our study provides evidence for the existence and expression of MMTV-like sequences in neoplastic and normal mammary glands of dogs and cats.

The identification of frequent variations in the fusion protein of canine distemper virus.

Canine distemper (CD) is a highly contagious disease with a worldwide distribution. Genetic diversity in genes encoding the haemagglutinin (H) and fusion (F) virus envelope proteins have been implicated in the increasing incidence of CD. Unlike the H gene, little is known about the genetic variability of the F gene in this virus. In the present study sequence analysis of the complete coding region of the F protein from CD virus isolates from Taiwan were carried out. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the majority of isolates were similar to those found in neighbouring China and Japan, but were genetically distinct from vaccine strains. Remarkable variations were found scattered throughout the pre-peptide region (residues 1-135). The sequence identity of this region between locally sourced strains and between these strains and vaccine strains was 89% and 64 to 67%, respectively. Analysis suggested a novel strain of distant genetic lineage was present in dogs in the geographically isolated city of Hualien.

Evaluation of hormone receptor expression for use in predicting survival of female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic potential of expression of hormone receptors in malignant mammary gland tumors of dogs. Design-Cohort study. ANIMALS: 89 female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumors and 24 female dogs with benign mammary gland tumors. PROCEDURES: Female dogs with malignant (n = 89 dogs) and benign (24) mammary gland tumors were evaluated to determine the prognostic value of the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)A or the progesterone receptor (PR), as determined by use of immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: In this study, 68 (60.2%) and 88 (77.9%) of the 113 dogs with mammary gland tumors had expression of ERA and PR, respectively. Expression of ERA and PR was detected proportionately more frequently in benign tumors (23/24 [95.8%] and 24/24 [100%], respectively) than in malignant tumors (45/89 [50.6%] and 64/89 [71.9%]). Percentage of tumors with positive results for ERA and PR was significantly higher in tumors < 5 cm in diameter; as clinical stage I, II, or III; and without metastasis to lymph nodes or distant metastasis. However, only PR expression in tumor cells was significantly associated with 1-year survival after surgical removal of the tumor. Moreover, dogs with malignant tumors expressing ERA and PR had a significantly higher survival rate, compared with the rate for dogs with malignant tumors expressing ERA but not PR. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings strongly suggested that expression of PR could be used as a prognostic factor for survival, especially in female dogs with malignant mammary gland tumors with ERA expression.

Multiple screening of urolithic organic acids with copper nanoparticle-plated electrode: potential assessment of urolithic risks.

There is yet to be a reliable prediction of urolithiasis. To facilitate early diagnosis, a simple and rapid high performance liquid chromatography method with electrochemical detection using disposable copper-nanoparticle-plated electrodes (Cu(n)-SPE) was developed for multiple detection of creatinine and 4 urolithic organic acids. A total of 206 normal and urolithic human and canine urines and urolith samples were collected for direct analysis of creatinine, cystine, uric acid, oxalic acid, and citric acid without sample cleanup and derivatization processes. Urinary organic acids were separated in 11 min and were devoid of ascorbic acid interference. The detection limits (S/N>3) were at the nanomolar level with linear dynamic ranges spanning 2-3 orders of magnitude. Recoveries in urine ranged from 99.5% for creatinine to 86.5% for citric acid. The analytical variations (RSD) were less than 6.2% in phosphate buffer and 7.7% in urine. Important differences in organic acid levels/profiles between animal species and among normal and urolithic urines/urolith were unveiled and corresponded well (70-90%) with the urolithic risk in a retrospective assessment. The simplicity and reproducibility of this method using disposable Cu(n)-SPE has made routine urine analysis possible and can be of great clinical and diagnostic potential in the screening of urolithiasis and abnormal states related to excess secretion of organic acids and amino acids in humans and animals.

Prognostic factors associated with survival two years after surgery in dogs with malignant mammary tumors: 79 cases (1998-2002).

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic factors for female dogs that have undergone surgical removal of malignant mammary tumors. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 79 female dogs with malignant mammary tumors. PROCEDURE: Information obtained from the medical records included breed, age, sex, tumor size (maximum diameter), number and location of affected mammary glands, time between tumor identification and surgical removal, radiographic evidence of distant metastasis, surgical procedure, ovariohysterectomy (OHE) status, histologic classification of the tumor, and survival time. RESULTS: Results of univariate analyses indicated that clinical stage, tumor size, OHE status, metastasis to adjacent lymph nodes or distant sites, and histologic classification of the tumor were significantly associated with survival 2 years after surgery. Tumors > or = 5 cm in diameter and tumors that had been identified > 6 months before surgery were more likely to metastasize to adjacent lymph nodes. Ovariohysterectomy was more beneficial in dogs with complex carcinomas than in dogs with simple carcinomas. In multivariate analyses, clinical stage, tumor size, and OHE status were significantly associated with survival 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that tumor stage, tumor size, and OHE status were significant prognostic factors associated with survival 2 years after surgery in dogs with malignant mammary tumors. Further, either dogs with tumors > or = 5 cm in diameter or dogs with tumors present for > 6 months prior to surgery had a higher risk of having lymph node metastases.

Factors associated with the rapid emergence of zoonotic Bartonella infections.

Within the last 15 years, several bacteria of the genus Bartonella were recognized as zoonotic agents in humans and isolated from various mammalian reservoirs. Based on either isolation of the bacterium or PCR testing, eight Bartonella species or subspecies have been recognized as zoonotic agents, including B. henselae, B. elizabethae, B. grahamii, B. vinsonii subsp. arupensis, B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, B. grahamii, B. washoensis and more recently B. koehlerae. The present manuscript reviews the factors associated with the emergence of these zoonotic pathogens, including better diagnostic tools and methods to identify these fastidious bacteria, host immunosuppression (caused by infectious agents, cancer, aging or induced by immunosuppressive drugs), the interaction of co-infection by several infectious agents that may enhanced the pathogenecity of these bacteria, increased outdoor activity leading to exposure to wildlife reservoirs or vectors, poverty and low income associated with infestation by various ectoparasites, such as body lice and finally the dispersal of Bartonellae around the world. Furthermore, a description of the main epidemiological and clinical features of zoonotic Bartonellae is given. Finally, the main means for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these diseases are presented.

Molecular epidemiology of Bartonella henselae infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients and their cat contacts, using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and genotyping.

Bartonella henselae causes severe disease in immunocompromised individuals. B. henselae was isolated from 12 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals with bacillary angiomatosis and/or peliosis hepatis and from their 15 cat contacts. Specific associations between the 2 B. henselae genotypes, individual pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, and different clinical syndromes and pathogenicity were investigated. The role of cat contacts as the source of human infection was also examined. Three of the 4 patients with B. henselae genotype I infection, but none of the 8 patients with genotype II infection, had hepatosplenic vascular proliferative lesions (P=.018). Four of 5 human-cat pairs had closely-related PFGE patterns and concordant results by 16S rDNA typing, which strongly suggests that human infection was caused by the cat contact. These results corroborate the major role of cats in the transmission of B. henselae to humans and suggest that B. henselae genotypes may induce different pathological features in HIV-infected patients.