No abstract

Abstract. A recurrent focus of Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestation was investigated in a suburban area of southern California after reports of suspected Rocky Mountain spotted fever in two dogs on the same property. Abundant quantities of Rh. sanguineus were collected on the property and repeatedly from each dog, and Rickettsia massiliae DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Whole blood and serum samples from four dogs were tested by using PCR and microimmunofluorescent assay for antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsiae. Serum samples from all four dogs contained antibodies reactive with R. massiliae , R. rhipicephali , R. rickettsii , and 364D Rickettsia but no rickettsial DNA was detected by PCR of blood samples. Serum cross-absorption and Western blot assays implicated R. massiliae as the most likely spotted fever group rickettsiae responsible for seropositivity. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of R. massiliae in ticks in California.

We implicated the black fly as a vector for this filarial zoonotic parasitic infection.

No abstract

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, was isolated from abscesses of 2 pet green iguanas in California, USA. The international trade in iguanas may contribute to importation of this pathogen into countries where it is not endemic and put persons exposed to these animals at risk for infection.

Infections caused by Histoplasma capsulatum are found most often in endemic regions of North, Central, and South America. H. capsulatum has been divided into eight geographic clades by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Recently, one isolate and five formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were received from six of 15 suspected cases of histoplasmosis in cats residing in areas not known to be endemic for H. capsulatum. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequence analysis of the rDNA ITS-2 region confirmed the diagnosis of H. capsulatum. Since these cases were not, as noted, from the accepted endemic areas, it was of interest to understand the molecular epidemiology of these isolates. Results of molecular analysis indicated that the H. capsulatum recovered from the cats were most closely related to the North American-1 clade, but clustered separately outside this clade, suggesting that the H. capsulatum infecting the animals may represent a separate clade or phylogenetic species. This study also demonstrated the utility of obtaining valuable molecular subtype data directly from archived FFPE tissue blocks, particularly when a fungus culture was not performed or is otherwise unavailable.

Animal-to-human bites can often lead to medical complications. Surveillance is essential in helping to identify, manage, and reduce these highly preventable injuries and direct public health actions and policies on animal bite risk and prevention.

Several flocks of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were found dead after colliding with solid objects such as picture windows, plexiglass, and fences. Necropsy examination revealed that all birds had engorged themselves with over-ripe berries of the Brazilian Pepper Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) and had hemorrhages in the breast muscles and the coelomic cavity due to hepatic rupture. Microscopic examination of tissues revealed no underlying pathological conditions. Ethanol was detected at levels of 260-1,000 ppm in the intestinal contents and liver, respectively. The cause of death in these birds was trauma that resulted from colliding with hard objects when flying under the influence of ethanol.