Factors associated with Giardia infection in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada.

Information concerning risk factors associated with Giardia infection in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada, is currently lacking. This study therefore aimed to identify risk factors for Giardia infection in dogs that visit off-leash dog parks in southern Ontario. From May-November 2018, fecal samples were collected from 466 dogs in 12 off-leash dog parks in the Niagara and Hamilton regions of Ontario. A survey that asked questions pertaining to travel history (i.e., area of residence, locations and regions visited in the previous 6 months), basic medical history (i.e., spay/neuter status, veterinary visits, use of deworming medication), consumption of a raw diet, and the physical (i.e., age, sex, breed) and behavioral characteristics (i.e., off-leash activities, hunting activities) of each dog sampled was administered to the respective owner. All fecal samples were examined with the Giardia plate ELISA (IDEXX Laboratories) for parasite antigen. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted on the survey data to investigate putative risk factors for Giardia infection. Overall, 11.8% (95% CI: 9.2-15.1%) of samples tested positive for Giardia antigen. Results from the multivariable logistic regression analyses identified an interaction between dog age and spay/neuter status that was significantly associated with Giardia infection. The odds of infection were greater in intact as compared to neutered adult dogs (OR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.7-7.9, p = 0.001), and in neutered juvenile dogs as compared to neutered adults (OR: 5.2, 95% CI: 2.2-12.2, p < 0.001). The results provide veterinarians with evidence-based information for identifying dogs at greatest risk of Giardia infection in southern Ontario.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada, based on fecal samples tested using sucrose double centrifugation and Fecal Dx® tests.

In southern Ontario, Canada, there is a lack of information concerning the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs. As such, this study aimed to characterize the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs visiting off-leash parks in the region using sucrose double centrifugation and Fecal Dx® tests. Additionally, data obtained via the sucrose double centrifugation method were used to evaluate the performance of the Fecal Dx® tests. Fecal samples were collected from 466 dogs aged ≥6 months from May to November 2018 (mean age = 3.7 years). Overall, eleven intestinal parasites were identified using sucrose double centrifugation. Roundworm eggs (Toxocara canis and Baylisascaris procyonis), hookworm eggs (Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala), and whipworm eggs (Trichuris vulpis) were identified in 1.07% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-2.56%), 5.79% (95% CI 3.85-8.31%), and 5.15% (95% CI 3.33-7.57) of samples, respectively. Using the Fecal Dx® tests, 1.07% (95% CI 0.38-2.56%), 4.29% (95% CI 2.64-6.55%), and 2.15% (95% CI 1.03-3.91) of the samples tested positive for roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm antigen, respectively. To assess the level of agreement between the Fecal Dx® tests and sucrose double centrifugation, three methods were used. Cohen's kappa indicated a fair-to-moderate level of agreement between Fecal Dx® tests and sucrose double centrifugation. In contrast, the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa and Gwet's first-order agreement coefficient indicated almost perfect agreement between these tests, ranging from 0.87 to 0.99 among the parasites examined. This study provides valuable information on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in mature dogs in southern Ontario that will help guide parasite control recommendations for dogs in this region.

Investigation of the occurrence of Angiostrongylus vasorum in coyotes in southern Ontario, Canada.

In North America, the only endemic focus for Angiostrongylus vasorum (French heartworm) was historically thought to occur in the southeastern part of the island of Newfoundland. However, reports of A. vasorum infection in wild canids in West Virginia, USA, and Nova Scotia, Canada, suggest the introduction of the parasite to mainland North America. We screened for A. vasorum in coyotes from across southern Ontario. Additionally, we evaluated the performance of ELISAs for detection of circulating A. vasorum antigen (Ag-ELISA) and antibodies against A. vasorum (Ab-ELISA) designed for use in sera or blood of foxes for use with coyotes in this region. Autopsies were performed on 397 coyotes, and lung tissue extract prepared from each carcass was tested via both ELISAs. The sensitivity and specificity for both tests were estimated in the absence of a gold standard using a 2-test single population Bayesian model; sensitivity and specificity priors were based on the performance of the assays in foxes in Switzerland. Eight coyotes tested positive for A. vasorum antigen; no animal was antibody positive. The estimated sensitivity and specificity of the Ag-ELISA were 90.8% (95% credible interval [CrI]: 83.8-95.6%) and 95.5% (95% CrI: 93.4-97.2%), respectively. For the Ab-ELISA, the estimated sensitivity and specificity were 41.9% (95% CrI: 32.1-51.9%) and 98.0% (95% CrI: 96.3-99.0%), respectively. Based on these findings and negative postmortem data for the same animals, there is insufficient evidence to suggest the presence of A. vasorum in southern Ontario coyotes.

Evaluation of the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in dogs that visit off-leash dog parks in southern Ontario, Canada.

Prior to 2012, Echinococcus multilocularis was not known to occur in any host in Ontario, Canada. However, since that year, five cases of alveolar echinococcosis have been diagnosed in dogs that resided at the western end of Lake Ontario. In addition, E. multilocularis has been shown to be a common infection in wild canids (i.e. coyotes and foxes) across southern Ontario with a high-risk infection cluster in the area surrounding the western shores of Lake Ontario and northern shores of Lake Erie. In regions endemic for E. multilocularis, dog ownership is considered a risk factor for human alveolar echinococcosis. A study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of E. multilocularis intestinal infections in dogs within the high-risk infection cluster. From May to November 2018, faecal samples were collected from 477 dogs aged ≥6 months that visited 12 off-leash dog parks in the Halton, Hamilton and Niagara public health units. Faecal samples were analysed via a magnetic capture probe DNA extraction and real-time PCR method for E. multilocularis DNA. Overall, 0% (97.5% CI: 0%-0.80%) of samples tested positive. This result informs preventive recommendations for E. multilocularis infections in dogs in this region.

Evaluation of the SNAP® 4Dx® plus test for the detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen and characterization of exposure to tick-borne pathogens in wild canids in southern Ontario.

Population-level surveys for Dirofilaria immitis in wild canids typically rely on identification of the parasite at necropsy. More recently, some studies have employed the use of the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test. However, since the assay was designed for use with domestic dogs it needs to be validated for use with wild canids for accurate interpretation of results. We therefore evaluated the performance of the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test for detection of D. immitis in wild canids in southern Ontario. Overall, 199 wild canid carcasses were collected from across the region and assessed for the presence of D. immitis parasites at necropsy; ten were infected. Lung tissue extract (LE) and thoracic fluid filter paper extract (TFE) prepared from each wild canid were tested via the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test, which simultaneously tests for the presence of D. immitis antigen and antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. The prevalence adjusted bias adjusted kappa (PABAK) and Gwet's first-order-agreement coefficient (AC1) were used to assess the level of agreement between sample pairs. The PABAK and AC1 between LF and TFE applied to the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test and the necropsy-confirmed D. immitis status indicated a very high level of agreement for all sample pairs. Compared to necropsy-confirmed D. immitis status, the estimated sensitivity and specificity of the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test for D. immitis antigen in LE was 80 % (95 % CI 44.4-97.5%) and 98.9 % (95 % CI 96.2-99.9%), respectively. For the TFE, the sensitivity was 70 % (95 % CI 34.8-93.3%) and the specificity was 97.9 % (95 % CI 94.7-99.4%). With respect to the tick-borne pathogen components, 1.5 % (3/199; 95 % CI 0.3-4.5%) of wild canids tested positive for B. burgdorferi antibody; 1.0 % (2/199; 95 % CI 0-3.8%) of LE samples were positive and 0.5 % (1/199; 95 % CI 0-3.1%) of TFE samples were positive. No samples tested positive for antibody to Anaplasma spp. (95 % CI 0-2.3%) or Ehrlichia spp. (95 % CI 0-2.3%). Collectively, the results suggest that the SNAP® 4Dx® Plus test may be a suitable test for use with LE and TFE for the detection of D. immitis antigen in wild canids from southern Ontario.

Factors associated with Echinococcus multilocularis infection in coyotes in southern Ontario.

Echinococcus multilocularis was recently reported in wild canids across southern Ontario, a newly recognized endemic area in Canada. In such areas, a comprehensive understanding of factors associated with infection in definitive hosts (wild canids) is critical for mitigating risk of transmission to humans. However, little is known about the transmission dynamics of the parasite in definitive hosts for this region. A study was therefore carried out to investigate the association of host-level (sex, body condition), environmental (southern Ontario region, land cover), temporal (season, hunting season, calendar year) and extraneous factors (submitter type) with E. multilocularis infection in coyotes in southern Ontario. Between November 2015 and March 2017, 416 coyotes were collected from across the region as part of a study that investigated the prevalence and distribution of the parasite in wild canids; approximately 24% of coyotes were positive for E. multilocularis. Associations between infection and factors of interest were assessed via a mixed-effects logistic regression model with a random intercept for submitter to account for clustering. Coyotes with poor body condition were at greater odds of E. multilocularis infection than those in good condition (odds ratio [OR] 2.14; 95% CI: 1.08-4.26; p = .030). A negative association was observed between infection in coyotes and the proportion of natural land in a coyote's estimated home range (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.52-0.85; p = .001). Coyotes from the western region of southern Ontario had lower odds of infection compared to coyotes from the central region (OR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.12-0.55; p < .001). These results can be used to help guide future public health prevention strategies for human alveolar echinococcosis.

Prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria immitis infection in wild canids in southern Ontario.

Wild canids represent a potential reservoir host for Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs in Ontario. Since wild canids are not protected by chemoprophylaxis, understanding the epidemiology of D. immmitis in these populations may help elucidate the background risk of infection for dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of D. immitis infection in wild canids across southern Ontario. From February 2016 to March 2017, 290 wild canid carcasses (273 coyotes and 17 foxes) were collected from across the region and assessed for the presence of D. immitis at the time of necropsy. Overall, D. immitis infection was identified in 4.8% (95% CI 2.8-8.0%) of these wild canid carcasses. Among coyotes, 5.1% (95% CI 3.0-8.5%) were positive; no evidence of D. immitis was found in the 17 foxes. Dirofilaria immitis infections in wild canids were detected in two regions of southern Ontario: 12 of the 14 D. immitis infections were detected in the south-western region and two were detected in the eastern region. Our findings provide preliminary insights into the prevalence and geographical distribution of D. immitis in coyotes and foxes in southern Ontario.

Echinococcus multilocularis Infection, Southern Ontario, Canada.

Alveolar echinococcosis, the disease caused by infection with the intermediate stage of the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm, is typically fatal in humans and dogs when left untreated. Since 2012, alveolar echinococcosis has been diagnosed in 5 dogs, 3 lemurs, and 1 chipmunk in southern Ontario, Canada, a region previously considered free of these tapeworms. Because of human and animal health concerns, we estimated prevalence of infection in wild canids across southern Ontario. During 2015-2017, we collected fecal samples from 460 wild canids (416 coyotes, 44 foxes) during postmortem examination and analyzed them by using a semiautomated magnetic capture probe DNA extraction and real-time PCR method for E. multilocularis DNA. Surprisingly, 23% (95% CI 20%-27%) of samples tested positive. By using a spatial scan test, we identified an infection cluster (relative risk 2.26; p = 0.002) in the western-central region of the province. The cluster encompasses areas of dense human population, suggesting zoonotic transmission.

Building Data and Information Capacity in Environmental Public Health: A Best-Worst Scaling Experiment.

CONTEXT: Environmental public health practitioners rely on information technology (IT) to maintain and improve environmental health. However, current systems have limited capacity. A better understanding of the importance of IT features is needed to enhance data and information capacity. OBJECTIVE: (1) Rank IT features according to the percentage of respondents who rated them as essential to an information management system and (2) quantify the relative importance of a subset of these features using best-worst scaling. DESIGN: Information technology features were initially identified from a previously published systematic review of software evaluation criteria and a list of software options from a private corporation specializing in inspection software. Duplicates and features unrelated to environmental public health were removed. The condensed list was refined by a working group of environmental public health management to a final list of 57 IT features. The essentialness of features was electronically rated by environmental public health managers. Features where 50% to 80% of respondents rated them as essential (n = 26) were subsequently evaluated using best-worst scaling. SETTING: Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Environmental public health professionals in local public health. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Importance scores of IT features. RESULTS: The majority of IT features (47/57) were considered essential to an information management system by at least half of the respondents (n = 52). The highest-rated features were delivery to printer, software encryption capability, and software maintenance services. Of the 26 features evaluated in the best-worst scaling exercise, the most important features were orientation to all practice areas, off-line capability, and ability to view past inspection reports and results. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a single, unified environmental public health information management system that fulfills the reporting and functionality needs of system users is recommended. This system should be implemented by all public health units to support data and information capacity in local environmental public health. This study can be used to guide vendor evaluation, negotiation, and selection in local environmental public health, and provides an example of academia-practice partnerships and the use of best-worst scaling in public health research.

Hepatic alveolar hydatid disease (Echinococcus multilocularis) in a boxer dog from southern Ontario.

A 2-year-old boxer dog from southern Ontario was evaluated because of acute onset lethargy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a hemorrhagic, destructive, liver mass. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction confirmed Echinococcus multilocularis as the cause of the hepatic mass. This constitutes the first description of endemic E. multilocularis in Ontario.

Hydatidose alvéolaire hépatique(Echinococcus multilocularis)chez un chien Boxer du Sud de l'Ontario. Un chien Boxer âgé de 2 ans du Sud de l'Ontario a été évalué en raison d'un début soudain d'une léthargie. Une laparatomie exploratoire a révélé une masse hépatique hémorragique et destructrice. L'histologie, l'immunohistochimie et l'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase ont confirmé Echinococcus multilocularis comme la cause de la masse hépatique. Il s'agit de la première description d'E. multilocularis endémique en Ontario.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Tuberculosis outbreak in a long-term care facility.

OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) was a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada early in the 20th century. Elderly populations in Canada remain at high risk for TB disease. Elderly patients may present atypically, with the result that many active cases can remain undiagnosed. We present an outbreak of TB that occurred in a Residential and Long-Term Care (LTC) facility in Ontario. METHODS: Case finding was carried out through the conventional concentric circle approach. Three rounds of tuberculin skin testing were conducted at 8-12 week intervals. Laboratory analysis was conducted at the Public Health Ontario Laboratories. An indoor air quality assessment was conducted to determine whether inadequate engineering controls were a transmission risk factor. RESULTS: A case of active pulmonary TB was confirmed in May 2010 in a staff member at the facility. By January 2011, 3 additional active cases and 24 latent tuberculosis infections among residents and staff had been identified. Genotyping methods confirmed that the 4 active cases were infected by an identical strain. Nine of 15 locations tested in the facility had air exchange rates below published guidelines. CONCLUSION: Prompt reporting of the initial case allowed for a quick initiation of the epidemiologic investigation. Given the epidemiology of TB in elderly populations, outbreaks should remain a concern for LTC facilities and physicians, even in jurisdictions of low TB incidence. Baseline and annual TB screening for residents and staff, early diagnosis of active TB, and adequate ventilation are important to reduce the incidence of disease.

Pork implicated in a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak in Ontario, Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To describe an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 infection following a four-day family gathering in Ontario. This is the first published account of a STEC O157 outbreak in Canada linked to consumption of pork. METHODS: The outbreak investigation included interviews with food handlers and other key associated persons, inspection of food preparation premises, traceback investigations, case finding, analysis of data from an outbreak questionnaire, and laboratory analysis of samples collected from various sources associated with the outbreak. RESULTS: Several meals, including pork from a pig roast, were served to the 59 attendees, 29 of whom developed gastrointestinal illness following the event. Six cases developed bloody diarrhoea and seven were hospitalized. Leftover pork served the day after the pig roast was the item most significantly associated with an increased risk of illness (p<0.001). STEC O157:H7 was isolated from 11 of the 29 ill attendees, and also from the pork. By pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), all STEC O157:H7 pork isolates were either identical or closely related to the 11 clinical isolates. No STEC was detected in any other samples. Three Clostridium perfringens isolates, unrelated by PFGE, were obtained from two STEC-positive cases and the pork. CONCLUSION: This outbreak highlights the need for increased awareness of pork as a potential source of STEC O157 infection, and for enhanced education regarding the safe handling, cooking and storage of food, specifically where large cuts of meat are cooked outdoors at events such as pig roasts, a cultural norm in some communities.

Cost analysis of public health influenza vaccine clinics in Ontario.

OBJECTIVE: Public health in Ontario delivers, promotes and provides each fall the universal influenza immunization program. This paper addresses the question of whether Ontario public health agencies are able to provide the influenza immunization program within the Ministry of Health fiscal funding envelope of $5 per dose. METHODS: Actual program delivery data from the 2006 influenza season of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) were used to create a model template for influenza clinics capturing all variable costs. Promotional and administrative costs were separated from clinic costs. Maximum staff workloads were estimated. Vaccine clinics were delivered by public health staff in accordance with standard vaccine administration practices. RESULTS: The most significant economic variables for influenza clinics are labour costs and number of vaccines given per nurse per hour. The cost of facility rental was the only other significant cost driver. The ability of influenza clinics to break even depended on the ability to manage these cost drivers. At WDGPH, weekday flu clinics required the number of vaccines per nurse per hour to exceed 15, and for weekend flu clinics this number was greater than 21. We estimate that 20 vaccines per hour is at the limit of a safe workload over several hours. Managing cost then depends on minimizing hourly labour costs. DISCUSSION: The results of this analysis suggest that by managing the labour costs along with planning the volume of patients and avoiding expensive facilities, flu clinics can just break even. However, any increased costs, including negotiated wage increases or the move to safety needles, with a fixed revenue of $5.00 per dose will negate this conclusion.