Infectious Diseases & Epidemiology

Immunosuppression in pets may be the result of an acquired immune deficiency, such as that due to neoplastic disease, immune-mediated disease, endocrine disease, or drug therapy; or more rarely, a congenital immune deficiency.

In recent years, the use of antifungal drugs in human medicine has increased, especially with the advent of the AIDS epidemic.

PCR-based diagnosis is ideally suited to detection of organisms that are not easily found on cytologic preparations, are slow-growing or difficult to cultivate, when a rapid diagnosis is required, when alternative methods are expensive or hazardous to laboratory staff, or when inhibitory substances such as antimicrobials may be present.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is defined in human medicine as a temperature elevation for 3 weeks or longer, the cause of which is not diagnosed after 1 week of intensive in-hospital investigation.

Leptospirosis is caused by infection with serovars of Leptospira interrogans sensu lato.

Canine anaplasmosis is caused by one of two gram-negative, obligate, intracellular bacterial agents, Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Anaplasma platys. Both types are likely spread by ticks and can occur worldwide.

Denver, Co. - A stalled state bill moved ahead after a provision was removed allowing pet owners to seek non-economic damages against veterinarians.

Richmond, Va. - Reported cases of animal rabies in the state have spiked to their highest number since 1982, according to Virginia health officials.

Dr. Stephen C. Barr offers testing and interpretation tips that help in identifying leptospirosis in dogs.

Richmond, Va. - 3/11/08 - Reported cases of animal rabies in the state have spiked to their highest number since 1982, according to Virginia health officials.

"Early feeding through a nasogastric tube is definitely something that I advocate for parvo cases, as long as you can control emesis."

Ames, Iowa - Scientists have discovered a new subtype of influenza virus in swine that has not previously been recovered from mammals.

Denver, Colo. - 2/29/08 - The American Veterinary Medical Foundation and the Morris Animal Foundation will, for the second year in a row, co-sponsor two studies to fight canine and avian influenza.

Baton Rouge, La. - 2/20/08 - Louisiana State University's (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine plans to host its Small Animal Symposium on April 27.

National Report - Scientists are testing a method of blocking two large-animal viruses - both considered potential bioterrorism agents - from infecting humans, by using an "entry inhibitor" approach.

New Delhi - 12/11/07 - The United States has pledged another $195 million to internationally fight avian influenza, bringing the country's total donations since 2005 to $629 million.

Madison, Wis. - A new $12.5 million University of Wisconsin (UW) facility slated to open next spring will focus on the study of influenza viruses to better understand the disease and possibly help prevent a future avian-flu pandemic. The two-story, 27,000 square-foot Institute for Influenza Viral Research initially will house 24 employees and grow to 35 when fully staffed, says Daryl Buss, DVM, PhD and dean of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.

Athens, Ga. - The University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine received a $1.18 million grant to develop rabies-virus vaccinations.

Atlanta - 11/8/07 - The United States is officially free of the type of rabies found in dogs -- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) formally declared it in September -- but that doesn't mean canine rabies is no loger a matter for concern

Atlanta - 9/7/07 - The first-ever World Rabies Day - an international effort to raise awareness about the risks of rabies - kicks off tomorrow, Sept. 8. The event aims to heighten understanding of the impact of human and animal rabies, while encouraging prevention to help avoid more than 55,000 rabies-related deaths that are estimated to occur each year.

Atlanta, Ga. - World Rabies Day, originally designated for Sept. 8 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be extended through several weeks to include global events with the shared goal of raising international awareness, education and disease prevention.

Please review influenza in animals

National Report - Canine and avian influenza are the focus of a research partnership between the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). The goal: Preventing the viruses from becoming internatioal pandemics.

Springfield, Mo. - Almost 200 cats were euthanized at the Southwest Missouri Humane Society (SMHS) after a suspected outbreak of the fast-spreading killer strain of calicivirus.

A 1-year-old castrated male domestic shorthaired cat was presented for evaluation of a 10-day history of lethargy, anorexia, decreased water consumption, and apparent discomfort.