Neosporosis : An Infectious Disease

Depending on the damage caused, most animals will recover from moderate parasite disease. However, parasites can slow growth and development- particularly of calves- and it has been suggested that burdens in adults, if left untreated, can improve fertility rates and

5. What species is the intended host for the Baylisascaris nematode and what symptoms does it cause in this host?

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that is characterized by structural deterioration of bone tissue and reduced bone mineral density(BMD). Consequences include increased pain, increased risk of fracture, loss of mobility, and death (Osteoporosis Canada 2014).

“Thirty-five year old Donna Duckworth is learning how to care for her newborn of five weeks, when she bends over the baby’s crib and feels something give in her back. The next day and the following week, the pain becomes unbearable in her back. She is breast-feeding and does not want to take any medication so she lives with the intense and continuing pain. Within a few weeks, she can no longer stand it so she goes to see her physician who orders blood work, does a complete physical and as a result, sends her to see an orthopedist who x-rays and does a bone density study. The diagnosis comes back as osteoporosis and it is found she has fractured three of her lumbar and four of her cervical vertebra.”

The article seemed to imply that the parasite naturally occurs within the feline population. The article does not mention

Hemorrhagic Disease of White-Tailed Deer is a phrase that describes an infection of either Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and/or Blue Tongue Disease (BT). These two diseases are clinically and molecularly very similar. Since the symptoms of both diseases are indistinguishable molecular testing is needed to specifically identify these viruses. Both viruses are spread by biting midges in the Culcoides genus which is found in a majority of the US. Historically, there have been large outbreaks in the US and all over the world which has lead to economic losses of various degrees. With current expansion of these diseases vector, a lack of monitoring, and gap of knowledge about these diseases it is only a matter of time before a catastrophic

The Baylisascaris species are nematodes that have commonly been associated with the illness and death in various vertebrate species that reside in zoos and aquariums, and is especially of importance when considering polar bear conservation (e.g., Ball et al. 1998; Sato, et al. 2005; Thompson et al. 2008, AZA Bear Tag 2009). Baylisascaris transfuga and B. multipapillata are ascarid roundworms that infect the small or large intestines of all bear species, including Polar Bears, in captive and wildlife settings. These large white worms contain a thick striated cuticle which promote resistance from harmful intestinal acidity within the host and possess morphological versatility that allow them to adapt to intermediate and definitive host immune responses. Although B. transfuga and B. multipapillata have been recognized for disrupting the central nervous system (CNS) and producing visceral, neural, and ocular disease under migratory conditions in laboratory studies (Papini et al., 1994; Papini et al., 1996; Sato, 2003), the continual environmental contamination of Baylisascaris ova within the holding and viewing areas of the exhibit can result in exposure of contagious levels of ascarid eggs among zoo animals and husbandry staff (Schaul

In response to these comments, it was then that the FDA added three additional pathogens to the list of qualifying pathogens: Coccidiodes species, Cryptococcus species, and Helicobacter pylori. Coccidiosis species, Cryptococcus species, and Helicobacter pylori. Coccidiosis is a disease caused by fungi from the genes of Cryptococcus that affect living organisms such as humans and animals. Living organisms usually contract this by inhaling the fungi, thus resulting in lung infection that can travel to the brain causing further harm for the organism. Two individuals were first identified with the fungus between 1894 and 1895. The Cryptococci’s can be found worldwide. The main way that disease is spread is also through inhalation with the particular fungus that happens to be associated with several species of bird, particularly old pigeon waste and bat guano.

The pathogenesis of C. burnetii is unusual in that it undergoes a biphasic life cycle generating a spore-like form that is extremely

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that primarily affects herbivores. It is caused by spore-forming, Gram-positive bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. Spores are present in contaminated soils and contaminated animal products. Herbivores acquire infection while grazing and may develop septicemia. After their death, the vegetative form of the bacteria is present in the meat and body fluids and the spores may be present on the hides. Carcasses and remains may contaminate soils. In humans, the disease manifests itself in three forms: cutaneous, pulmonary, and gastro-intestinal. Cutaneous anthrax accounts for 95% of the cases [1, 2]. Handling contaminated meat, hides, or skins may lead to inoculation of the vegetative form or spores through cuts and

The approach to tackling this disease has successful has been displayed in many strategies. One possible attempt that has been established is the Eradication Attempt in which The state of New York identified CWD in two different captive herds during a routine surveillance that took place

Procedures: DKA will be induced in mice through a single IP injection of streptozotocin (200 mg/kg) 10 days prior to infection. DKA will be verified by detecting glucose and ketone bodies in urine using widely available testing strips such as Multistix (Siemens) and Ketostix (Bayer). The intranasal (nasal inhalation) infection route will be used for the proposed project. Prior to inoculation, animals will be placed under general anesthesia with IP injection of ketamine/xylazine mixture (0.1 ml/ 20gm). Infected animals will be observed for recovery following inoculation and monitored thereafter daily. For survival assay, moribund animals will be terminated by euthanasia and organs will be harvested from euthanized animals. Assessment of fungal burden and histological examination of organs from euthanized animals will be performed. For exRNA isolation from blood, cardiac puncture will be performed in mice under terminal anesthesia as this allows for collection of a large volume of

Latently infected animals are the major reservoirs of disease and frequent shedding of the virus from this asymptomatic carriers cause spreads of virus to susceptible population [7,1,8,9].

Cryptococcosis is the most common systemic fungal infection in cats. It is caused by the Cryptococcus neormans fungus and is found in soil and bird droppings throughout the world. Young cats are affected most often with about 50 percent of cases affecting the nasal passages. This is a serious infection that, if not quickly treated, can result in meningitis and death. Another 25 percent of the cases are cutaneous cryptococcosis. This condition produces swelling over the bridge pf the nose, face or neck. Outdoor cats are more likely to be infected as they prowl. Symptoms of neurologic cyrptococcosis can include

Finding appreciable numbers of oocysts of pathogenic species in the feces is diagnostic, but because diarrhea may precede the heavy output of oocysts by 1to 2 days and may continue after the oocyst discharge has returned to low levels, it is not always possible to find oocysts in a single fecal sample. Multiple fecal examinations of one animal or single fecal examinations of animals housed in the same environment may be required. The results of fecal examinations must be related to clinical signs and intestinal lesions. The finding of numerous oocysts of a nonpathogenic species concurrent with diarrhea does not constitute a diagnosis of clinical coccidiosis. The life cycles of Eimeria are self-limiting and end spontaneously within a few weeks unless reinfection occurs. The use of medication may slow or inhibit development of stages resulting from reinfection and can shorten the length of illness, reduce discharge of oocysts, alleviate hemorrhage and diarrhea, and lessen the likelihood of secondary infections and death. Sick animals should be isolated and treated individually whenever possible to ensure delivery of therapeutic drug levels and to prevent exposure of other animals. Treatment for clinical coccidiosis has not been demonstrated for any