We tested 50 cats from coronavirus disease households or close contacts in Hong Kong, China, for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA in respiratory and fecal samples. We found 6 cases ...of apparent human-to-feline transmission involving healthy cats. Virus genomes sequenced from 1 cat and its owner were identical.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The Tasmanian devil is an endangered carnivorous marsupial threatened by devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). While research on DFTD has been extensive, little is known about viruses in devils and ...whether any are of potential conservation relevance for this endangered species. Using both metagenomics based on virion enrichment and sequence-independent amplification (virion-enriched metagenomics) and metatranscriptomics based on bulk RNA sequencing, we characterized and compared the fecal viromes of captive and wild devils. A total of 54 fecal samples collected from two captive and four wild populations were processed for virome characterization using both approaches. In total, 24 novel marsupial-related viruses, comprising a sapelovirus, astroviruses, rotaviruses, picobirnaviruses, parvoviruses, papillomaviruses, polyomaviruses, and a gammaherpesvirus, were identified, as well as known mammalian pathogens such as rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2. Captive devils showed significantly lower viral diversity than wild devils. Comparison of the two virus discovery approaches revealed substantial differences in the number and types of viruses detected, with metatranscriptomics better suited for RNA viruses and virion-enriched metagenomics largely identifying more DNA viruses. Thus, the viral communities revealed by virion-enriched metagenomics and metatranscriptomics were not interchangeable and neither approach was able to detect all viruses present. An integrated approach using both virion-enriched metagenomics and metatranscriptomics constitutes a powerful tool for obtaining a complete overview of both the taxonomic and functional profiles of viral communities within a sample.
The Tasmanian devil is an iconic Australian marsupial that has suffered an 80% population decline due to a contagious cancer, devil facial tumor disease, along with other threats. Until now, viral discovery in this species has been confined to one gammaherpesvirus (dasyurid herpesvirus 2 DaHV-2), for which captivity was identified as a significant risk factor. Our discovery of 24 novel marsupial-associated RNA and DNA viruses, and that viral diversity is lower in captive than in wild devils, has greatly expanded our knowledge of gut-associated viruses in devils and provides important baseline information that will contribute to the conservation and captive management of this endangered species. Our results also revealed that a combination of virion-enriched metagenomics and metatranscriptomics may be a more comprehensive approach for virome characterization than either method alone. Our results thus provide a springboard for continuous improvements in the way we study complex viral communities.
Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) is an emerging virus related to the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The pathogenic potential of DCH in cats remains to be established. The molecular prevalence of DCH varies ...widely in the regions investigated so far. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, load, and risk factors for DCH detection among cats in Hong Kong, and to generate molecular and epidemiological data on the DCH strains circulating in cats in Hong Kong. DCH DNA was detected using DCH-specific qPCR in 57/513 (11.1%) residual diagnostic blood samples from owned cats. The median viral load was 8.85 × 10
copies/mL of whole blood (range for the 5th to the 95th percentile, 3.33 × 10
to 2.2 × 10
copies per mL). Two outliers had higher viral loads of 1.88 × 10
copies/mL and 4.90 × 10
copies/mL. DCH was detected in cats from 3 months to 19 years of age. Sex, age, neuter status, breed, or elevated serum alanine aminotransferase were not statistically associated with DCH DNA detection. On phylogenetic analysis based on 12 complete genome sequences, the Hong Kong DCH viruses clustered in Genotype A with viruses from Australia and Asia (clade A1), distinct from viruses from Europe (clade A2). Sequence analysis found that DCH has similar epsilon and direct repeat regions to human HBV, suggesting a conserved method of replication. Based on our findings, the DCH strains circulating in Hong Kong are a continuum of the Asiatic strains.
Babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are the most clinically significant tick-borne infections in dogs. Although epidemiological investigations of these diseases have been performed in some Asian regions, ...little data is available in Hong Kong, where competent vector tick species are endemic. The objectives of this study were to determine the molecular prevalence of Ehrlichia canis and Babesia species (B. canis, B. gibsoni, B. vogeli) in owned dogs suspected of tick-borne infection in Hong Kong and to identify risk factors associated with B. gibsoni infection. Electronic records from the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of City University of Hong Kong were searched to identify canine blood samples submitted for molecular testing of these pathogens by real time PCR between March 2018 and May 2021. Electronic patient records from the affiliated veterinary hospital were searched to identify a subset of tested dogs to investigate the potential risk factors for B. gibsoni infection using logistic regression models. Among 1508 tested dogs for all four pathogens of interest, Babesia spp. were detected in 435 (28.8%) and E. canis in 112 (7.4%). Babesia gibsoni was detected in 408 dogs while B. vogeli was detected in 27 dogs. Babesia canis was not detected in any dog. Co-infections of different combinations of B. gibsoni, B. vogeli and E. canis were present in 25 dogs. In multivariable logistic regression, mixed breed dogs were more likely to be infected with B. gibsoni than purebreds (P = 0.005), while dogs > 10 years of age were less likely to be infected than younger dogs (P = 0.019). Hematological abnormalities significantly associated with B. gibsoni infection included thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, or pancytopenia. Babesiosis caused by B. gibsoni is a common infection in owned dogs suspected of tick-borne infection in Hong Kong. The risk factors reported should be considered in diagnosing dogs suspected of infection with this agent. Furthermore, consideration for testing for B. gibsoni infection should be given if the results of a complete blood count show thrombocytopenia even in the absence of anemia, neutropenia or pancytopenia.
We describe a novel heterothallic species in Aspergillus section Fumigati, namely A. felis (neosartorya-morph) isolated from three host species with invasive aspergillosis including a human patient ...with chronic invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, domestic cats with invasive fungal rhinosinusitis and a dog with disseminated invasive aspergillosis. Disease in all host species was often refractory to aggressive antifungal therapeutic regimens. Four other human isolates previously reported as A. viridinutans were identified as A. felis on comparative sequence analysis of the partial β-tubulin and/or calmodulin genes. A. felis is a heterothallic mold with a fully functioning reproductive cycle, as confirmed by mating-type analysis, induction of teleomorphs within 7 to 10 days in vitro and ascospore germination. Phenotypic analyses show that A. felis can be distinguished from the related species A. viridinutans by its ability to grow at 45°C and from A. fumigatus by its inability to grow at 50°C. Itraconazole and voriconazole cross-resistance was common in vitro.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Cryptic species in Aspergillus section Fumigati are increasingly recognised as pathogens in humans and animals. The A. viridinutans complex (AVC) has recently expanded to comprise 10 ...species, of which six are known to be pathogenic, including A. udagawae, A. felis, A. pseudofelis, A. parafelis, A. pseudoviridinutans, and A. wyomingensis. They cause locally invasive and disseminated invasive disease syndromes, including chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and invasive aspergillosis in humans, invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in cats, and disseminated invasive aspergillosis in dogs. In contrast to A. fumigatus, AVC species are characterized by higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antifungal drugs and the infections they cause are typically more chronic and more refractory to therapy. This review, of relevance for one-health practitioners, explores the history of the AVC as well as current phylogenetic relationships, secondary metabolite production, environmental distribution, clinical syndromes, and antifungal susceptibility patterns.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a chronic, lifelong, debilitating, primarily obstructive airway disease which adversely affects the quality of life of many popular dog breeds. ...Respiratory restriction in bulldog breeds, pugs and Boston terriers frequently co-exist with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, many brachycephalic dogs that appear clinically normal are, in fact suffering from chronic hypoxia and its systemic consequences. Concurrent gastroesophageal reflux-associated conditions, sleep disorders and systemic hypertension further impact the welfare of affected dogs. Acceptance of BOAS and associated clinical signs as being 'normal for the breed' is common amongst owners. While surgical correction of the upper airway is the mainstay of treatment, the provision of subsequent, frequently lifelong medical management is equally important for the maintenance of an acceptable quality of life, at least for some affected patients. Here we review the current knowledge concerning brachycephaly, combine it with shared clinical experience in the management of this debilitating condition, and discuss ethical considerations and the responsibility of veterinarians to contribute public education and to support appropriate breed standards for animals under our care.
Practical relevance:
Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is a relatively uncommon endocrinopathy of older cats, with a mean age at diagnosis of 10 years. In addition to pituitary-dependent and ...adrenal-dependent hypercortisolism, clinical signs of HAC can result from adrenal sex steroid-producing tumours.
Clinical challenges:
While HAC in cats has many similarities to canine HAC, there are key differences in presentation, diagnosis and response to therapy. Most, but not all, cats with HAC have concurrent diabetes mellitus, which is often insulin resistant. Up to a third of cats with HAC have extreme skin fragility and are at high risk of debilitating iatrogenic skin tears during diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Infections of the skin and nail beds, and urinary, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, secondary to cortisol-induced immune suppression, are also common. Cats respond differently to dogs to adrenal function tests including adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation and dexamethasone suppression tests; a 10-fold higher dose of dexamethasone is recommended in cats to screen for HAC. Curative treatment options include adrenalectomy or transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. Radiation or medical treatment may improve clinical signs. The response to mitotane therapy is poor. While trilostane is the medical treatment of choice based on retrospective studies, investigations into the pharmacokinetics of this drug in cats are lacking.
Global importance:
Feline HAC occurs worldwide and is not associated with any purebreed predisposition. Although uncommon, adrenal sex steroid-producing tumours have a higher prevalence in cats than in dogs.
Evidence base:
The information in this review is drawn from over 180 reported cases of feline HAC. Reports investigating clinical presentation, clinicopathological findings and treatment outcomes are observational, retrospective multiple case series (EBM grade III) or single case reports (EBM grade IV). While most endocrine testing studies for diagnosis are cohort controlled analytical studies (EBM grade III), prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled studies have been performed (EBM grade I).
spp. are commensals of the skin, oral/sinonasal cavity, lower respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Eighteen species have been recovered from humans, other mammals and birds. They can also be ...isolated from diverse environments, suggesting an evolutionary trajectory of adaption from an ecological niche in plants and soil to the mucocutaneous ecosystem of warm-blooded vertebrates. In humans, dogs and cats,
-associated dermatological conditions share some commonalities. Otomycosis is common in companion animals but is rare in humans. Systemic infections, which are increasingly reported in humans, have yet to be recognized in animals.
species have also been identified as pathogenetic contributors to some chronic human diseases. While
species are host-adapted, some species are zoophilic and can cause fungemia, with outbreaks in neonatal intensive care wards associated with temporary colonization of healthcare worker's hands from contact with their pets. Although standardization is lacking, susceptibility testing is usually performed using a modified broth microdilution method. Antifungal susceptibility can vary depending on
species, body location, infection type, disease duration, presence of co-morbidities and immunosuppression. Antifungal resistance mechanisms include biofilm formation, mutations or overexpression of
, overexpression of efflux pumps and gene rearrangements or overexpression in chromosome 4.
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