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A Babesia sp. isolated from eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) is morphologically similar and genetically identical, based on SSU rRNA gene comparisons, to two agents responsible for human babesiosis in North America and is closely related to the European parasite, Babesia divergens. The ribosomal RNA (rRNA) internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S rRNA genes of Babesia isolates were sequenced and analyzed. The rRNA ITS region sequences of three isolates, one each from Kentucky, Massachusetts and Great Britain, considered Babesia divergens-like organisms, were compared to two Babesia microti isolates, two Babesia odocoilei isolates and a well defined Babesia divergens isolate. The two B. divergenslike isolates from North America shared identical rRNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequences, and the clones of these isolates clustered into one clade in three phylogenetic analyses, suggesting that these isolates are conspecific. In vitro comparison of host erythrocyte specificity between the rabbit Babesia sp. and B. divergens was employed to discriminate between the two organisms and to determine the usefulness of in vitro techniques for Babesia sp. characterization. In vitro growth of the rabbit Babesia sp. was supported in human and cottontail rabbit erythrocytes, but not in bovine cells. Babesia divergens in vitro growth was supported in human and bovine erythrocytes, but not in cottontail rabbit cells. Morphological characteristics and size differences also distinguished the two parasites from one another. The erythrocyte specificity and parasite size differences reported in this study agree with previous in vivo results and validate the use of in vitro methods for characterization of Babesia species.

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Introduction: Each year in the United States, Salmonella enterica infections cause an estimated 1.2 million illnesses that result in 19,000 hospitalizations and 390 deaths. Illnesses occur sporadically throughout the year, but might also occur as part of an outbreak. Outbreaks are most commonly linked to a food source, but contact with live animals can also result in human outbreaks of illness. Methods: Outbreaks of Salmonella reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) from 2009–2014 with a primary mode of transmission listed as animal contact or food were analyzed to characterize the demographics of zoonotic outbreaks and examine how they differ from foodborne outbreaks. Missing data for age or sex categories were recoded as age or sex unknown. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare proportions of categorical variables. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for age, sex, health outcomes and multistate exposure. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare medians for outbreak size and duration. Analyses were conducted using SAS 9.3. Results: During 2009–2014, a total of 484 outbreaks were reported through NORS; of these, 99 (20.5%) resulted from Salmonella transmission through animal contact and 385 (79.5%) resulted from foodborne transmission. These outbreaks resulted in 3,604 (19.8%) and 13,568 (80.2%) illnesses, respectively. A higher proportion of outbreak-associated illnesses among children aged(15.2% vs. 1.4%, p Conclusions: Outbreaks of Salmonella resulting from animal contact frequently have characteristics that are distinct from food outbreaks. Findings are consistent with reports in the literature where young children are disproportionately affected by animal contact outbreaks. Animal contact outbreaks might have a higher proportion of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and healthcare provider visits. Animal contact outbreaks might also be longer in duration and are more likely to be multistate. Future investigations of multistate Salmonella outbreaks that are consistent with these differences should collect epidemiologic information regarding animal exposures to determine if contact with animals resulted in the transmission of the outbreak.

4 pp. / The Informed Arizona Equestrian Horse Health Series was designed to bring up to date information on issues of importance to the horse owners of Arizona and beyond. Rabies has been identified in horses in Arizona (most recently Santa Cruz county in 2016), and is not only fatal for horses, but also can affect the humans handling those horses. It is often overlooked as a possible diagnosis due to the nonspecific early signs of infection. Find out how to protect you and your horses from this devastating disease.

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A simultaneous survey of canine and human gastrointestinal (GI) parasites was conducted in three socioeconomically disadvantaged, tea-growing communities in Assam, India. The aims of this study were to determine the epidemiology of GI parasites of zoonotic significance in dogs and geohelminth infection in humans using a combination of molecular biological and classical parasitological and epidemiological tools. A total of 328 and 101 dogs participated in the study. The prevalence of GI parasites in dogs was 99%. Parasitic stages presumed to be host-specific for humans such as Ascaris spp., Trichuris trichiura and Isospora belli were also encountered in dog faeces. A polymerase chain reaction - linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRRFLP) was developed to identify the species of Ascaris eggs in dog faeces. The results supported the dog's role as a significant disseminator and environmental contaminator of Ascaris lumbricoides, in communities where promiscuous defecation by humans exist. The prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors for infection with Ascaris, hookworms and Trichuris were also determined among the human population. The overall prevalence of Ascaris was 38% and 43% for both hookworms and Trichuris. The strongest predictors for the intensity of geohelminths included socioeconomic status, age, household crowding, level of education and lack of footwear when outdoors. The zoonotic potential of canine Giardia was investigated by genetically characterising G. duodenalis isolates recovered from humans and dogs at three different loci. Phylogenetic analysis placed canine Giardia isolates within the genetic groupings of human isolates. Further evidence for zoonotic transmission was supported by strong epidemiological data. A highly sensitive and specific PCR RFLP based test was developed to detect and differentiate the species of canine hookworms directly from eggs in faeces. Thirty-six percent of dogs were found to harbour single infections with A. caninum, 24% single infections with A. braziliense and 38% mixed infections with both species. This newly developed PCR-based test provided a rapid, highly sensitive and specific tool for the epidemiological screening of canine Ancylostoma species in a community. A combination of canine population management, effective anthelmintic regimes and improvements in health education and sanitation is recommended for the control of canine and human gastrointestinal parasites in these communities.