Yes, 

diagnosis can be made from PCR serology testing,

in conjunction with the presence of urea breath

Although gastric biopsy of mucosal lining is the best diagnostic method.

Highly unlikely because H. pylori HAS NOT BEEN FOUND IN DOGS, so no transmission can occur. 

H. bizzozeroni is most prevalent in dogs, H. canis can also infect humans 

HIGHLY INFECTIOUS 

one of the most commn bacterial infections in the world, primarily in the developing countries.

This most often occurs in childhood and can persist lifelong if untreated.

NO 

H. pylori is the species found in humans and it is not transmittable to dogs, and has not been isolated 

Primary transmission - fecal oral

Can transmit through saliva (feeding, grooming of puppies)

Placenta - yes can cause abortion from salmonella resulting septicemia

MILK- no

Urine - no

Not in milk or urine even if she is septic, it would have to be from an ascending infection 

Yes

Asymptomatic infection - shed in feces

They will recover in 3-4 weeks and when she is no longer clinically ill - she can continue to intermittently shed for several weeks (spread to family and animals) 

Live in M cells - take a culture of intestines with Maconkeys agar to confirm 

Should an owner not breed a dog with Salmonellosis? If several monthly cultures do come back negative is she in the clear?

Don’t want the extra stress on the dog = although systemic infection is rare and placenta spread is also rare, the dog can become systemic and cause abortion.

Also, acute enteritis in the pups can occur when she sheds at partuition, but is rare. 

Can Bayliascaris procyonis be passed on from squirrel to human, or to another squirrel? Or is this only likely to happen if the squirrel has contamination with the organism on its fur from raccoon feces?

Could happen - ingest larva in egg

*Don’t lick squirrels, or eat squirrel meat*

Squirrels do not shed eggs in feces to environment, they are accidental hosts, as are humans

Is it known how long the roundworms will survive while migrating through brain/muscle tissue?

How long can it survive in the environment? 

It is unknown how long migration through the brain and muscle takes

Infective after 3-4 weeks from being shed in the feces,

survive for 5-6 years with water source

Highly resistant to disinfectants, heat and cold

Are there any treatments for visceral or neurologic larval migrans in people?

Is the raccoon the only definitive host of Bayliascaris cyonis? I recall hearing that dogs could act as definitive hosts, is this true?

Dogs can be definitive hosts: Ingest egg, migrates through CNS, neuro signs in 2-4 weeks. Can also shed eggs with intestinal infection - this is a potential risk for HUMANS!!

Raccoons - ingest IH with larvae - develop to adults in SI and shed eggs in feces, no clinical signs in raccoons (GI heavy infection can block and rupture) 

I know there is no clear cut answer but what would you do in my shoes, when a dog has had a positive titer for LEPTO and is being treated with ABX, but her family is asking to bring her home?

When can I safely send the dog home and not have to worry about her shedding and infecting family members?

***

ALL SEROVARS OF LEPTO ARE ZOONOTIC 

And the virus can be shed in urine for several months after infection. 

There are two aspects to treatment:

Treat initial bacteremia - penicillin for 2 weeks or until normal kidney function restored 

Treat tissue bacteria - Doxycycline for 2 weeks

TOTAL TREATMENT: 1 month

My tech and I were exposed (urine to skin) to a patient positive for LEPTO at times, in spite of all the precautions. Should I go to my physician to ask her opinion, or should I tell her I am going to hold my breath and turn blue until she gives me doxycycline?

****

Owner wants to know how the dog got infected from Lepto and how to disinfect the yard before she brings the dog home. Any suggestions?

Prevention:

Rodent control 

Eliminate pooling water 

Fence the yard 

VACCINE - with regualr booster 

My own dog killed a chipmunk today.

He is current on rabies and we live in NH.

Should I boost his rabies vaccine? What is the risk of a chipmunk harboring rabies?

No - unless the chipmunk was acting abnormal, maybe test the chipmunk.

IF THE CHIPMUNK WAS POSITIVE - give vaccine right away to pump up immune system to prevent it from infecting the nerves.

The chipmunk is very small and most likely would die from the bite wound associated with transmitting Rabies. 

My own dog killed a chipmunk today.

He is current on rabies and we live in NH. 

Humans are not at risk from handling the dog immediately afterwards, are they?

Rabies spread through saliva, open wounds, broken skin, 

NON bite exposure can be minimal unless you wear gloves.  Water reduces the virus in the wound

My own dog killed a chipmunk today.

He is current on rabies and we live in NH. 

Should I quarantine my dog? 

For how long, and where is this usually done?

NO - you do not need to quarantine the dog

Quarantine is typically only used for animals that bite humans. 

If unvaccinated: 10 days with local authority 

If vaccinated: 10 days at home under observation 

(neuro signs = euth and testing) 

My own dog killed a chipmunk today.

He is current on rabies and we live in NH. 

How long before I can say my dog won’t develop rabies?

What are the signs I should be looking for?

He’s due for his distemper combo vaccine too, can I go ahead and give that now?

 There is an incubation time of 3-12 weeks!

An infected animal typically dies within 7 days of illness. 

There are 3 disease phases:

prodormal - behavioral changes, fever 

furious - bite or attack progression to disorientation

and paralytic - labored breathing, dropped jaw, resp arrest

Also, dont vaccine for the distemper at this time, potential vax rxn, decreased immune response

A pet owner has a postive diagnosis of Spirotrichosis, and has a cat with a non healing flesh wound of the ear.

Could the infection have come from the cat?

Or is yard more likely?

Are me and my staff at risk working with a cat that has tested postive for Sporotrichosis ?

What is the incubation period for sporothrix in people?

Your staff are at risk and should handle the car with gloves and always wash their hands after working with these animals.

Disease incubates in 1-3 weeks with clinical infection becoming appearent at 3 weeks. 

Is surgical excision of sporotrichosis lesions followed by Itraconazole 5-10 mg/kg PO q12-24h for ~30 days a better choice OR medical management by itraconazole alone is good enough to get rid of the infection? I was thinking to get rid of the infection in shorter period of time to reduce to chance of the owner to be infected.

Is there anyway to test a rat and hamster for the organism(s) that cause rat bite fever and would that be helpful? 

Testing on rodents is not really recommended.

Culture or ELISA of Streptobacillus moniformis is the best diagnosis otherwise.

Rodents are carrier - and transmission is through scratches (contact), bites or contaminated food (with feces) 

This has LOW pathogenicity

Is the best option for a family to get rid of the rat and/or hamster if they are positive for Streptobacillus moniliformis? They definitely do not want to go through this illness again.

It would proabably be best to get rid of the rat, but if they keep it preventative measures include:

avoid contact with rodent droppings

Wear protective gloves to avoid bites/scratches

WASH YOUR HANDS

Keep cage clean 

Go to doctor if bitten

If the organism Streptobacillus moniliformis is so common in the mouths of rats, why does it seem that it is rather rare that humans contract the disease?

The bacteria cannot be spread from human to human 

and there is low pathogenicity 

It is also likely underreported.

How possible is it that the cat is a vector for Q fever?

Or are goats more likely?

Although it IS possible for the cat to give an owner, it is MOST likely that the GOAT transmitted it to the owner. 

Domestic pets can be carriers, but Goats are a BIG RESERVOIR of the disease.  

Goats can transmit the disease through their urine, feces, milk, carcasses, placenta, or amniotic fluid.

Other transmission include: FLEAS and TICKS, but human to human is rare. 

Test the urine, feces using IFA

but cats have difficulty clearing the infection completely.

They most commonly shed as a queen, so it is best to have the cat spayed 

Are humans able to transmit the Q fever when infected?

Can they be a source of contagion?

Human transmission is very rare, because it would need to come from placental tissues or milk.

But they can serve as a source of the contagion in the case of doctors preforming autopsies or abortions.

There is a vaccine available, but hard to get rid of completely

Treat with doxycycline, better results if caught early - can take up to 4 years to treat 

Can the agent that causes kennel cough infect people?

Does it cause disease?

There is zoonotic potential, but it is typically circumstantial.

There is a LOW RISK for developing disease -  low disease development 

Agent: Bordetella bronchiseptica

NO treatment is not necessary until clinical signs appear, which can happen 2-14 days after exposure. 

Treatment - Mild - abx, doesn’t shorten the shedding time

Severe - Abx, doxycycline, trimethoprin, and NO steroids or cough suppressants because it can cause immunosuppression

Attenuated live vaccine used (not killed because its painful)

Any socialized dog should get this - not part of core vax

IN or SubQ

Does not protect against disease production - only reduces severity of disease.

Human infection is very RARE after vaccination.  

Asthma - generalized airway inflammation(Type 1 hypersensitivity)

Viral infections can trigger asthmatic episodes indirectly, because of asthma medications.

Asthma is unlikely to increase risk of kennel cough contraction.

Could a cat did give an immunocompromised individual Pasteurella? 

How?

Yes it is possible for a cat to give humans Pasteurella.  It is primarily transmitted through biting and scratching (SALIVA), or by aerosol.  There is some human to human transmission as well. 

IMMUNOCOMPROMISED individuals have a significantly increased risk for contraction.

Immunocompromised patients should not share a bed with or kiss infected pets.  It would probably be best to remove the cat from the house.  

Also, if there are any scratches or bites from the cat, immediate cleaning is recommended and prophylactic antibiotics if bitten. 

The intraconazole is safer for the pregnant owner to use 

drug inhibits the fungal enzymes that the ergosterol of the cell wall.

Inhibits fungal enzymes that produce esterol of cell wall

30 days is NOT enough time

Do it daily for 30 days and then culture to see if its negative - lesions will be resolves by this point but you NEED THE NEGATIVE CULTURE and also decontamination is important. 

TREATMENT can take 3-12 weeks

Uterus makes cytokines for B lymphocyte response.

All the dermatophytes are likely to cause disease, not one specifically

Treatment is the danger in pregnant women 

ALWAYS wash you hands to eliminate possible spores

Wear gloves in animal with skin infection and throw out gloves 

If infected - - send to physician

Use bleach on all hard surfaces 

Vaccuming of carpets

Keep immunocompromised people away 

What would you suggest as far as a test for psittacosis? I wonder about the value of something like an environmental swab...worth doing or a waste of money?

Would be suggested to be safe. 

Bacterial culture: Requires tissue culture or embryonated eggs. 

PCR, Antibody/antigen detection: serological testing

(EBA, IFA, ELISA, FA)

There is an case of Psittacosis in pet birds in a nursing home, with multiple birds that live there in outdoor and indoor aviaries.

Should I test each bird, or just a few in each outdoor and indoor aviaries?

Parrots are most likely resevoirs -

Best to test all or none

Some may not be actively shedding 

What samples would I take for testing Psittacosis?

Is culture the best testing method?

Culture requires a tissue sample, or embryonated eggs and samples for this should be from the cloaca/conjunctiva area of live birds.  Post mortem samples would include liver, spleen, blood and exudates.

Other options are blood samples: PCR, ELISA, IF, FA, EBA

If I find C. psittaci in a pet bird aviary,  what do I do?

First off, remove the birds from immunocompromised individuals.  Quarantine, isolate, depopulate. 

N95 respirator, gloves, surgical cap, and eyewear when handling these birds. 45 day ABX treatment for birds not euthanised. 

KEEP thins CLEAN - often a result of poor husbandry.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING 

If you staff knows what to do when they see disease, and they will know how to prevent contamination/spreading and risks

Every veterinarian is a public health veterinarian. 

How can you do this?

Educating through involvement - know the local shelter and how to get involved in the community. 

Adsress local animal issues like overpopulation 

March 11th, 1918

It was a solider with fever, headache, etc.

By the end of the week there were 500 cases. 

48 soldiers died.

What is Kansas sickness?

Where did it resurface (not in kansas...)?

It was the initial influenza virus 

It resurfaced in EUROPE, and mutated so that when it came back to the US, it was more deadly.

September 11th 1918

Started in around boston and moved down the East coast. 

Oranges from China are illegal in the US.

True or False?

Beef from Thialand is illegal in the US.

True or False?

Feathered ornaments from Mexico are illegal in the US.

True or False?

FALSE

They MUST be heat treated or chemically treated before they can be taken out of the warehouse.

They are trained beagles to pick up the scent of illegal or unclaimed imported items 

Beagles are used because they are not threatening

If the box is up high, then it may take a while for the smell to drop down. 

Alaskians are allowed to hunt 20 whales annually. 

What is the health concern with this?

Sewage lagoons - birds can get in and then contaminate drying food

Improperly stored food = botulism

Brucella suis in marine mammals and caribou 

infectibe when consumed raw

Coxiella burnetti

obligate intracellular parasite

When and where was Q fever first described?

Queensland, Australia 1935

also found in ticks the same year in Montana

Aerosol, Arthropod (ticks), Urine, Feces 

HIGHLY infectious - survives for long periods of time in the environment

Raw milk 

Transplacental

What is the incubation time for Q fever in humans?

How readily is it transferred to other people?

20 days - and no it is not readily transmitted to other humans

HUMANS are considered DEAD END HOSTS

Q fever has been eradicated from the US.

True or False?

FALSE 

It occurs sporadically in the US and has been found on 5 continents 

Self-limiting fever and illness 

Atypical pneumonia, hepatitis, rash, neuro signs

Post Q fever fatigue syndrome - fatigue and headaches

Can become chronic

bone, liver, artery diseases  

Women and children more often asymptomatic 

Placentitis, thrombocytopenia

Mortality - low (<1-2%)

50% are self=limiting in 2 weeks

Acute infection can be combated with antibiotics (doxycycline, macrolides) 

Chronic infections may need long term combination therapy - - valvular replacement 

This was from the German outbreak of the disease in 1996.  The outbreak was traced back to a local flock of lambing sheep, which most likely aerosolized the bacteria.  Questionaires of clinical signs, and treatment.  

Pasteurization of milk from goats, sheep, cow

Vaccinate humans and animals

Educate regarding good animal husbandry.

Iradication is impractical because there are too many resevoirs.

Bacillus anthracis 

Large gram positive rod that forms spores that require oxygen.

2001

there were 18 Confirmed cases, and about 10,000 people took prophylactic medications

What was the historical transmission of anthrax? 

ie. not used as biological warfare.

Working with infected animal products.

Textile plants, woolsorters, slaughterhouses

Inhalation, cutaneous, or ingestion of contaminated meat

How many cases of anthrax are there annually?

Where is anthrax endemic?

20,000 - 100,000 cases per year

AFRICA

Cutaneous: 95% of cases, spores enter through wounds, pruritis and vesicle formation. Limited fatality if treated.

GI: higher fatality rate, nausea, anorexia, bloody stools

Inhalation: varied incubation, most fatal, treat within 48hr

vague fever to respiratory distress

isolation from blood, skin, resp

serology

Nasal swabs cannot be used to diagnose, only check for exposure.

Bio-thrax 

Given 3 injections 2 weeks apart, then 3 injections 6 months apart then annual vaccine.

given to all military personnel involved in conflict

If swallowed: enteritis, colic, death within 96 hours

If injected: hot painful swelling, death

Rare, but can consume raw infected meat. 

causes asphyxia from throat swelling.

There was a case of a golden retriever in Mississippi, who had swelling and drooling and died before antibiotic treatment. 

REPORT DISEASE OUTBREAK. 

Quarantine area

dont open carcasses

vaccinate other susceptible animals

insectivorous bats

SKUNK 

raccon

fox

Bait vaccines 

for bats - dropped from planes 

*can cause lesions in handling*

for raccons - vaccine in bait cubes in rural areas

Cases of rabies are declining since 1983.

True or False?

FALSE

Domestic animal cases are declining because of strict vaccine regulations, but HUMAN and WILDLIFE cases have increased in the past few decades.

Wildlife: 6,000 in 1977 -- 6,800 in 2008

Humans: 2 in 2008 -- 4 in 2009

Cases of human rabies are because of raccoon rabies. 

True or False?

FALSE 

There has only been one case of fatality linked to raccoons.

In a worldwide perspective DOG strains are the most prevalent 

Most reported rabies deaths in animals are raccoons.

True or False?

TRUE 

More cases of raccons than bats, mostly because bats are often not caught for testing. 

Countries dont have the funding to afford vaccination, testing, education. 

THERE IS NO ORGANIZATION in charge so disease is lost between agencies.

What is the pathogenesis of the rabies virus?

There has to be some reason to know it since it wasn't on our virology exam...

Virus enters through infected saliva, multiplies in local muscle tissue - moves to local nerves and travels to CNS.

INCUBATION of 3-12 weeks.

Rapid replication in the brain - neurological signs of disease - death within 7 days!!

This is the PARALYTIC phase of Rabies

"Choking", behavioral changes, muscle tremors, excessive salivation. 

Direct Fluorescent antibody test

CAN ONLY BE PREFORMED POST MORTEM

need the entire brain and brainstem 

although you can test saliva, there can be false negatives

Human rabies immunoglobulin given in shot 

Rabies vaccinations given on day 0, 3, 7, 18 

The furious phase where they are irritable, sensitive to stimuli, and with be aggressive and bite.

Lasts 1-7 days before coma/death

Paralytic - 

excessive salivation (from inability to swallow) 

dropped jaw

Lasts 2-4 days before coma/death

What does PEP stand for?

A) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

B) Post-Exposure Prophylaxis 

Answer: Post exposure prophlyaxis 

More people recieve the pre exposure prophylaxis than the post exposure prophylaxis.

True or False?

FALSE

Most people have no need to have pre-exposure because they are not at typical risk.  

Preexposure = 18,000 people annually 

Postexposure = 40,000 people annually 

Until the onset of clinical signs - 

there is 100% effectiveness in treatment if administered before clinical signs, but varied incubation can cause delay in onset of clinical signs by 3 months.

Contact with infective saliva (to non-intact skin)

direct bite wounds, cleaning bite wounds of other animals, putting ungloved hands in a potentially rapid mouth. 

Also CNS fluid exposure - necropsy

Catch the bat - dont freeze it

Submit to state lab for free testing