First record of Leptospira and Blastocystis infections in captive flying squirrels (Trogopterus xanthipes) from Enshi County, China.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the feces of flying squirrels have long been used to promote blood circulation and relieve bodily stasis. However, the excrement of flying squirrels may harbor zoonotic agents that could be hazardous to public health. To understand the occurrence of bacterial and parasitic infections in this species, we investigated selected zoonotic pathogens including Leptospira and Blastocystis in the urine and feces of flying squirrels in China. Urine and fecal samples from flying squirrels were collected from a family-owned flying squirrel farm located in Enshi County, Hubei Province in China. Leptospira and Blastocystis DNA was extracted from the urine and feces of flying squirrels, and used as targets for PCR amplification, using different specific primers. PCR amplification and DNA sequencing showed that 4.4% (3/69) of flying squirrels were positive for Leptospira, while 30.4% (21/69) of the animals were positive for Blastocystis. Notably, 1.4% (1/69) of flying squirrels were found to be co-infected with Leptospira and Blastocystis. Sequence analyses allowed for the detection of 3 Blastocystis subtypes (ST1, ST3 and ST13), and mixed infections of Blastocystis subtype 1 and subtype 3 were found in 4.4% (3/69) of flying squirrels. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rrs2), the flagellin B gene (flaB), and outer membrane lipoprotein lipL32 gene (LipL32) sequences indicated that the Leptospira species detected in the study was L. interrogans. We concluded that flying squirrels from central China were infected with Leptospira and Blastocystis, suggesting that these animals can be a source of infection for their owners, and using fresh excrement from this animal as traditional medicine could be risky to human health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Leptospira and Blastocystis infection in flying squirrels from Enshi County, China. Our findings provide new data on the epidemiology of these pathogens in this region.

Effects of an extract from Phyllanthus niruri on hepatitis B and woodchuck hepatitis viruses: in vitro and in vivo studies.

An aqueous extract of the plant Phyllanthus niruri inhibits endogenous DNA polymerase of hepatitis B virus and binds to the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus in vitro. The extract also inhibits woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) DNA polymerase and binds to the surface antigen of WHV in vitro. The extract, nontoxic to mice, was tested for antiviral activity in woodchucks (Marmota monax). In a trial using six long-term WHV-carrier woodchucks, five treated animals showed a faster decrease in woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen titer compared to one untreated control. In animals recently infected with WHV, the extract was effective when administered i.p. in three out of four animals in reducing and within 3-6 weeks eliminating both the surface antigen titer and DNA polymerase activity in serum. The treatment was discontinued after 10 weeks, and the treated animals have remained free of detectable markers of WHV for more than 45 weeks. In contrast, three untreated controls remained positive for both markers for WHV. One of the controls died after 8 weeks; the other two controls have remained positive for WHV markers for more than 45 weeks. In a third trial with long-term carriers, test animals treated subcutaneously with the extract for 12 weeks did not respond; but on switching the mode of administration to i.p., two out of the five animals showed a significant decrease in woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen titer compared to controls.

Susceptibility of bite wound bacteria to seven oral antimicrobial agents, including RU-985, a new erythromycin: considerations in choosing empiric therapy.

The susceptibility of 93 aerobic and 59 anaerobic bacteria isolated from human and animal bite wounds was determined by agar dilution. No agent tested (penicillin, oxacillin, cephalexin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, minocycline, erythromycin, and RU-965) was consistently active against all isolates. A total of 21% of the Bacteroides species, all isolated from human bites, were resistant to penicillin; 14 and 18% of the Pasteurella multocida isolates were resistant to erythromycin and oxacillin, respectively.