PCR amplification of the nearly full-length of virulence flagellin gene (flaB) was employed for rapid identification of Leptospira spp and of Leptospira-specific 16S rDNA (rrs) for differentiation from other bacteria. This approach distinguished pathogenic from non-pathogenic Leptospira strains, and the generation of restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles using a combination of restr...

Determining the factors that influence the transmission of parasites among hosts is important for directing surveillance of animal parasites before they successfully emerge in humans, and increasing the efficacy of programs for the control and management of zoonotic diseases. Here we present a review of recent advances in the study of parasite sharing, wildlife ecology, and epidemiology that co...

The majority of helminth parasites that are considered by WHO to be the cause of 'neglected diseases' are zoonotic. In terms of their impact on human health, the role of animal reservoirs and polyparasitism are both emerging issues in understanding the epidemiology of a number of these zoonoses. As such, Hymenolepis (Rodentolepis) nana, Echinococcus canadensis and Ancylostoma ceylanicum all qua...

This paper reports the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of 57 C. jejuni and C. coli isolates from humans and chickens in Italy and the identification of 17 new sequence types (STs). A high genetic diversity was detected among C. jejuni/C. coli and human/chicken isolates, with a predominance of clonal complexes CC21 and CC828. Although human STs were not the same as those found in chickens, 3 C...

Bartonellae are fastidious Gram-negative bacteria that are widespread in nature with several animal reservoirs (mainly cats, dogs, and rodents) and insect vectors (mainly fleas, sandflies, and human lice). Thirteen species or subspecies of Bartonella have been recognized as agents causing human disease, including B. bacilliformis, B. quintana, B. vinsonii berkhoffii, B. henselae, B. elizabethae...

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a significant pathogen associated with gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive diseases of cattle worldwide. It causes continuous economic losses to the cattle industry primarily due to decreased reproductive performance. The ability of virus to cross the placenta during early pregnancy can result in the birth of persistently infected (PI) calves. P...

In this survey we examined 87 domestic animal stool samples in order to detect the possible presence of microsporidia in animals in close contact with humans in Galicia (NW, Spain). The detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi spores was confirmed in faecal samples from two dogs and one goat by polymerase chain reaction. None of the positive samples for microsporidia in the staining method were amp...

Rabies is worldwide endemic fatal viral encephalitis, which continues to be a major public health and veterinary problem in many parts of the world [1,2]. Rabies is an under-reported, neglected and deadly disease estimated to cause more than 50000 human deaths annually and millions of animal bites each year [3]. Domestic animals, mainly dogs and cats, or wild animals (bats, monkeys, and foxes) ...

Animal rabies control has been frustrated by the existence of multiple wildlife reservoirs and the lack of efficacious oral vaccines. In this investigation, raccoons fed a vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein recombinant virus in a sponge bait developed rabies virus-neutralizing antibody (0.6-54.0 units) and resisted street rabies virus infection 28 and 205 days after feeding. Additional raccoons immun...

The publication of studies using next generation sequencing to analyse large numbers of bacterial isolates from global epidemics is transforming microbiology, epidemiology and public health. The emergence of multidrug resistant Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 is one example. While the epidemiology in Africa appears to be human-to-human spread and the association with invasive disease almost absolu...