scholarly journals Retrospective evaluation of vector-borne pathogens in cats living in Germany (2012–2020)

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Schäfer ◽  
Barbara Kohn ◽  
Maria Volkmann ◽  
Elisabeth Müller
Keyword(s):  
Direct Detection ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Indirect Detection ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Retrospective Evaluation ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Diagnostic Panel ◽  
Vector Borne

Abstract Background Blood-feeding arthropods can transmit parasitic, bacterial, or viral pathogens to domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance because of increasing travel and import of pets from abroad as well as the changing climate in Europe. The main objective of this study was to assess the percentage of cats with positive test results for selected vector-borne pathogens in Germany and explore any possible association of such results with time spent abroad. Methods This retrospective study included test results from cats included in the “Feline Travel Profile” established by the LABOKLIN laboratory at the request of veterinarians in Germany between April 2012 and March 2020. This diagnostic panel includes the direct detection of Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria spp. via PCR as well as indirect detection assays (IFAT) for Ehrlichia spp. and Leishmania spp. The panel was expanded to include an IFAT for Rickettsia spp. from July 2015 onwards. Results A total of 624 cats were tested using the “Feline Travel Profile.” Serum for indirect detection assays was available for all 624 cats; EDTA samples for direct detection methods were available from 618 cats. Positive test results were as follows: Ehrlichia spp. IFAT 73 out of 624 (12%), Leishmania spp. IFAT 22 out of 624 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. PCR 53 out of 618 (9%), Dirofilaria spp. PCR 1 out of 618 cats (0.2%), and Rickettsia spp. IFAT 52 out of 467 cats (11%) tested from July 2015 onwards. Three cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen before 2015. After testing for Rickettsia spp. was included in 2015, 19 cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen (Rickettsia spp. were involved in 14 out of these 19 cats). Conclusions At least one pathogen could be detected in 175 out of 624 cats (28%) via indirect and/or direct detection methods. Four percent had positive test results for more than one pathogen. These data emphasize the importance of considering the above-mentioned vector-borne infections as potential differential diagnoses in clinically symptomatic cats.

scholarly journals Retrospective evaluation of vector-borne pathogens in cats living in Germany (2012-2020)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Schäfer ◽  
Barbara Kohn ◽  
Maria Volkmann ◽  
Elisabeth Müller
Keyword(s):  
Direct Detection ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Indirect Detection ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Retrospective Evaluation ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Diagnostic Panel ◽  
Vector Borne

Abstract Background: Blood-feeding arthropods can transmit parasitic, bacterial, or viral pathogens to domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance due to increasing travel and import of pets from abroad, as well as the changing climate in Europe. The main objective of this study was to assess the percentage of cats with positive test results for selected vector-borne pathogens in Germany and explore any possible association of such results with time spent abroad.Methods: This retrospective study included test results from cats for which a ‘Feline Travel Profile’ established by the laboratory LABOKLIN had been requested by veterinarians in Germany between April 2012 and March 2020. This above-mentioned diagnostic panel includes the direct detection of Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria spp. via PCR as well as indirect detection assays (IFAT) for Ehrlichia spp. and Leishmania spp. The panel was expanded to include an IFAT for Rickettsia spp. from July 2015 onwards.Results: A total of 624 cats were tested using the “Feline Travel Profile”. Serum for indirect detection assays was available for all 624 cats, EDTA-samples for direct detection methods were available from 618 cats. Positive test results were as follows: Ehrlichia spp. IFAT 73 out of 624 (12%), Leishmania spp. IFAT 22 out of 624 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. PCR 53 out of 618 (9%), Dirofilaria spp. PCR 1 out of 618 cats (0.2%) and, Rickettsia spp. IFAT 52 out of 467 cats (11%) tested from July 2015 onwards. Three cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen before 2015. After testing for Rickettsia spp. was included in 2015, 19 cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen (Rickettsia spp. were involved in 14 out of these 19 cats).Conclusions: At least one pathogen could be detected in 175 out of 624 cats (28%) via indirect and/or direct detection methods. Four percent had positive test results for more than one pathogen. This data emphasizes the importance of considering the above-mentioned vector-borne infections as potential differential diagnoses in clinically symptomatic cats.

scholarly journals Retrospective Evaluation of Vector-borne Infections in Cats Living in Germany (2012-2020)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo Schäfer ◽  
Barbara Kohn ◽  
Maria Volkmann ◽  
Elisabeth Müller
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Indirect Detection ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Diagnostic Panel ◽  
Vector Borne

Abstract Background: Blood-feeding arthropods can transmit parasitic, bacterial, or viral pathogens to domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance due to the increase of travel, import of domestic animals from abroad, and due to the changing climate in Europe. The main objective of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence of some vector-borne infections in cats in which a ‘Feline Travel Profile’ had been conducted. Methods: This retrospective study included test results from cats for which a ‘Feline Travel Profile’ established by the laboratory LABOKLIN had been requested by veterinarians in Germany between April 2012 and March 2020. This above-mentioned diagnostic panel contains direct detection methods via PCR for Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria spp. as well as indirect detection methods via IFAT for Ehrlichia spp. and Leishmania spp. The profile was expanded to include an IFAT for Rickettsia spp. from July 2015 onwards. The prevalence of the different vector-borne infectious agents was calculated. Results: A total of 624 cats were tested using the ‘Feline Travel Profile’. Serological samples for indirect detection methods were available for all 624 cats, EDTA-samples for direct detection methods for 618 cats. Positive test results were as follows: Ehrlichia spp. IFAT 73 out of 624 (12%), Leishmania spp. IFAT 22 out of 624 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. PCR 53 out of 618 (9%), Dirofilaria spp. PCR 1 out of 618 cats (0.2%) and, tested from July 2015 onwards, Rickettsia spp. IFAT 52 out of 467 cats (11%). At least one infection was present in 175 out of 624 cats. Three coinfections were detected before 2015; after including the Rickettsia spp. test results there were 19 cats with confections (in 14 out of these 19 cats Rickettsia spp. were involved).Conclusions: 175 out of 624 cats (28%) were tested positive for at least one vector-borne pathogen. Infections with multiple pathogens could be detected in 4% of the cats from 2012 to 2020. The data emphasizes the importance of considering the above-mentioned vector-borne infections as potential differential diagnoses in cats.

Laser Far-Field Spot Test System

2013 ◽  
Vol 823 ◽  
pp. 331-334
Author(s):  
Yi Fei Ma
Keyword(s):  
Laser Beam ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Beam Quality ◽  
Block Diagram ◽  
Single Pulse ◽  
Test System ◽  
Indirect Detection ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Single Chip ◽  
Detection Scheme

Measurement of the energy distribution of laser spots is an effective way in characterizing and diagnosing laser beam quality. After comparing conventional direct-detection and indirect-detection methods, a novel direct-detection scheme, which is based on detector-array controlled by single-chip microprocessors, is proposed. On the basis of analyzing key technologies such as data transmission and optical-electrical conversion, a block diagram of the system is proposed. In this system, a distributed structure was adopted which was composed of a host PC, a main microprocessor and lower microprocessors. This system is capable of measuring the parameters of laser beam in outfield such as size and shape of the spot, the energy of pulse and its distribution etc. It is suitable for most of lasers with repetition rate ranging from single pulse to several hundred per second and different energy up to moderate-high level. The system is more accurate than any former systems.

scholarly journals Canine infection with Dirofilaria immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. in the United States, 2013–2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Little ◽  
Jennifer Braff ◽  
Joshua Place ◽  
Jesse Buch ◽  
Bhagya Galkissa Dewage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Geographic Expansion ◽  
Endemic Areas

Abstract Background Dogs in the US are commonly infected with vector-borne pathogens, including heartworm and tick-borne disease agents. The geographic distribution of both arthropod vectors and the pathogens they transmit continues to expand. Methods To describe the current geographic distribution and prevalence of antigen of Dirofilaria immitis and antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma spp. in dogs, we summarized over 144 million test results from 2013 to 2019, inclusive, by county, state, and region. Canine seroprevalence by state was compared to population-adjusted human reports of tick-borne diseases. Results Results varied regionally, with D. immitis antigen and Ehrlichia spp. antibodies more frequently detected in the Southeast (2.6% and 5.2%, respectively) and antibody to B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. most common in the Northeast (12.1% and 7.3%, respectively). Overall, percent positive test results to D. immitis decreased in the Southeast by 33.3% when compared to earlier summaries using the same strategy (from 3.9 to 2.6%). Geographic expansion of areas where dogs commonly test positive for Ehrlichia spp. was evident, likely because of a change in the test made in 2012 to allow detection of antibodies to E. ewingii concomitant with expansion of vector tick populations. Percent positive test results to Ehrlichia spp. increased in every region; this shift was particularly pronounced in the Southeast, where percent positive test results increased fourfold (from 1.3 to 5.2%). Continued geographic expansion of B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum was apparent in the Northeast, Midwest, and Upper South, although canine seroprevalence of antibody to B. burgdorferi was much lower than prior surveys in many Lyme-endemic areas. Annual reports of human cases of Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis were associated with percent positive canine results by state for the three tick-borne disease agents (R2 = 0.812, 0.521, and 0.546, respectively). Within endemic areas, percent positive test results for all three tick-borne agents demonstrated evidence of geographic expansion. Conclusions Large scale analysis of results from screening dogs in practice for evidence of vector-borne infections, including those with zoonotic importance, continues to be a valuable strategy for understanding geographic trends in infection risk over time.

Development of In-Service Inspection Rules for Liquid-Metal Cooled Reactors Using the System Based Code Concept

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeru Takaya ◽  
Tai Asayama ◽  
Hiroki Yada ◽  
A. Thomas Roberts ◽  
Frank J. Schaaf
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Evaluation Criteria ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Stage Ii ◽  
Indirect Detection ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Class 1

Abstract Inservice inspection rules for liquid-metal cooled plants were historically provided by Section XI, Division 3 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. However, some parts of the Code, such as acceptance standards for the examination of class 1 and 2 components remained as being in the course of preparation. Although no major revisions were made to Division 3 since the first issue in 1980, a newly developed and published Code Case N-875 now provides alternative examinations to the methods previously contained in Division 3. The Code Case was developed using the System Based Code (SBC) concept pursuing rationalization of codes and standards based on reliability targets throughout a plant's service life. In this paper, an overview of the Code Case is presented. The technical foundation to establish the applicability of these alternative examinations as delineated in the Code Case consists of stage I and II evaluations with compensating individual considerations. Stage I is a structural integrity evaluation without the contribution of inservice inspections, while stage II is evaluation of the detectability of a postulated flaw. Not only conventional direct detection methods, but also indirect detection methods are permitted to be employed through the stage II evaluation. Furthermore, the detailed evaluation procedures are illustrated through the application of the Code Case's evaluation criteria to the primary heat transport piping system of a prototype sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor in Japan, specifically Monju.

Molecular detection of Hepatozoon species infections in domestic cats living in Germany

2021 ◽  
pp. 1098612X2110556
Author(s):  
Ingo Schäfer ◽  
Barbara Kohn ◽  
Ard M Nijhof ◽  
Elisabeth Müller
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Blood Feeding ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Travel History ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Eastern Europe ◽  
Hepatozoon Species ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Local Transmission

Objectives Three species of protozoal Hepatozoon species ( H felis, H canis and H silvestris) are known to infect cats in Europe. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon species in samples from cats living in Germany that were submitted to a veterinary laboratory. Methods The study included cats tested for Hepatozoon species by PCR between 2007 and 2020 by the Laboklin laboratory. Travel history and haematological results were documented for cats with positive test results. From 2018 onwards, a partial 18S rRNA Hepatozoon gene fragment was sequenced from cats with positive PCR results. Results Sixty-four of 931 cats (7%) tested positive for Hepatozoon species. Sex and age did not have a statistically significant impact. Sequencing was carried out for 16 samples and revealed H felis in all cases. All cats with positive test results and a relevant travel history had been imported from the Mediterranean or south-eastern Europe. There were no autochthonous infections with Hepatozoon species. Leukocytosis, haemoconcentration and anaemia were the most common haematological abnormalities. Conclusions and relevance Although infections with Hepatozoon species in cats are usually subclinical, it may be useful to screen cats imported from the Mediterranean and south-eastern Europe for these pathogens to prevent local transmission cycles. There was no evidence of autochthonous infections in Germany; however, further investigations regarding a possible transmission of Hepatozoon species from infected cats to blood-feeding arthropods in Germany may be of interest. To avoid potential spread of the pathogens, ectoparasite prophylaxis is advisable.

scholarly journals Comparative Detection and Quantification of Arcobacter butzleri in Stools from Diarrheic and Nondiarrheic People in Southwestern Alberta, Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 1082-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Webb ◽  
Valerie F. Boras ◽  
Peter Kruczkiewicz ◽  
L. Brent Selinger ◽  
Eduardo N. Taboada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Detection ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
Enteric Pathogens ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Comparative Genome Analysis ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Isolation Methods ◽  
Arcobacter Butzleri ◽  
Detection And Quantification

Arcobacter butzlerihas been linked to enteric disease in humans, but its pathogenicity and epidemiology remain poorly understood. The lack of suitable detection methods is a major limitation. Using comparative genome analysis, we developed PCR primers for direct detection and quantification ofA. butzleriDNA in microbiologically complex matrices. These primers, along with existing molecular and culture-based methods, were used to detectA. butzleriand enteric pathogens in stools of diarrheic and nondiarrheic people (n= 1,596) living in southwestern Alberta, Canada, from May to November 2008. In addition, quantitative PCR was used to compareA. butzleridensities in diarrheic and nondiarrheic stools.Arcobacter butzleriwas detected more often by PCR (59.6%) than by isolation methods (0.8%). Comparison by PCR-based detection found no difference in the prevalence ofA. butzleribetween diarrheic (56.7%) and nondiarrheic (45.5%) individuals. Rates of detection in diarrheic stools peaked in June (71.1%) and October (68.7%), but there was no statistically significant correlation between the presence ofA. butzleriand patient age, sex, or place of habitation. Densities ofA. butzleriDNA in diarrheic stools (1.6 ± 0.59 log10copies mg−1) were higher (P= 0.007) than in nondiarrheic stools (1.3 ± 0.63 log10copies mg−1). Of the 892 diarrheic samples that were positive forA. butzleri, 74.1% were not positive for other bacterial and/or viral pathogens. The current study supports previous work suggesting thatA. butzleripathogenicity is strain specific and/or dependent on other factors, such as the level of host resistance.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Ultraviolet-C Room Disinfection on Preventing Healthcare-Associated Clostridioides difficile Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s33-s33
Author(s):  
Michihiko Goto ◽  
Erin Balkenende ◽  
Gosia Clore ◽  
Rajeshwari Nair ◽  
Loretta Simbartl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Acute Care Hospitals ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Ultraviolet C ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Uv C

Background: Enhanced terminal room cleaning with ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection has become more commonly used as a strategy to reduce the transmission of important nosocomial pathogens, including Clostridioides difficile, but the real-world effectiveness remains unclear. Objectives: We aimed to assess the association of UVC disinfection during terminal cleaning with the incidence of healthcare-associated C. difficile infection and positive test results for C. difficile within the nationwide Veterans Health Administration (VHA) System. Methods: Using a nationwide survey of VHA system acute-care hospitals, information on UV-C system utilization and date of implementation was obtained. Hospital-level incidence rates of clinically confirmed hospital-onset C. difficile infection (HO-CDI) and positive test results with recent healthcare exposures (both hospital-onset [HO-LabID] and community-onset healthcare-associated [CO-HA-LabID]) at acute-care units between January 2010 and December 2018 were obtained through routine surveillance with bed days of care (BDOC) as the denominator. We analyzed the association of UVC disinfection with incidence rates of HO-CDI, HO-Lab-ID, and CO-HA-LabID using a nonrandomized, stepped-wedge design, using negative binomial regression model with hospital-specific random intercept, the presence or absence of UVC disinfection use for each month, with baseline trend and seasonality as explanatory variables. Results: Among 143 VHA acute-care hospitals, 129 hospitals (90.2%) responded to the survey and were included in the analysis. UVC use was reported from 42 hospitals with various implementation start dates (range, June 2010 through June 2017). We identified 23,021 positive C. difficile test results (HO-Lab ID: 5,014) with 16,213 HO-CDI and 24,083,252 BDOC from the 129 hospitals during the study period. There were declining baseline trends nationwide (mean, −0.6% per month) for HO-CDI. The use of UV-C had no statistically significant association with incidence rates of HO-CDI (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.032; 95% CI, 0.963–1.106; P = .65) or incidence rates of healthcare-associated positive C. difficile test results (HO-Lab). Conclusions: In this large quasi-experimental analysis within the VHA System, the enhanced terminal room cleaning with UVC disinfection was not associated with the change in incidence rates of clinically confirmed hospital-onset CDI or positive test results with recent healthcare exposure. Further research is needed to understand reasons for lack of effectiveness, such as understanding barriers to utilization.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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