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Erysipelothrix bacteria cause infections in humans and other species after contact with infected animals or environmental sources (1). Illness ranges from mild to systemic, which can include septicemia and endocarditis. [...]

The 2021-2022 epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5Nl) virus clade 2.3.4.4b has been unprecedented in terms of numbers of dead wild birds, species affected, spatial extent, and incidence [...]

To the Editor: A Q fever epidemic among humans started in the Netherlands in 2007 and peaked in 2009 (1). Epidemiologic evidence linked the epidemic to abortions and deliveries among [...]

Background and Purpose: Corticosteroids are intra-articularly injected to relieve pain in joints with osteoarthritis (OA) or acute tissue damage such as ligament or tendon tears, despite its unverified contraindication in unstable joints. Biomaterial-based sustained delivery may prolong reduction of inflammatory pain, while avoiding harmful peak drug concentrations.Experimental Approach: The applicability of prolonged corticosteroid exposure was examined in a rat model of anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus transection (ACLT + pMMx) with ensuing degenerative changes.Key Results: Intra-articular injection of a bolus of the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) resulted in enhanced joint instability in 50% of the joints, but neither instability-induced OA cartilage degeneration, synovitis, nor the OA-related bone phenotype was affected. However, biomaterial microsphere-based extended TAA release enhanced instability in 94% of the animals and induced dystrophic calcification and exacerbation of cartilage degeneration. In healthy joints, injection with TAA releasing microspheres had no effect at all. In vitro, TAA inhibited cell migration out of joint tissue explants, suggesting inhibited tissue healing in vivo as mechanisms for enhanced instability and subsequent cartilage degeneration.Conclusions and Implications: We conclude that short-term TAA exposure has minor effects on surgically induced unstable joints, but its extended presence is detrimental by extending instability and associated joint degeneration through compromised healing. This supports a contraindication of prolonged corticosteroid exposure in tissue damage-associated joint instability, but not of brief exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a herd of captive reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus tarandus ) consisting of two males and seven females with five calves, three calves were diagnosed on post mortem examination with a Babesia capreoli infection. The diagnosis was indicated by PCR and when the other reindeer were examined two adult females and a one-year-old male were Babesia -positive. Molecular characterization of the 18S rDNA of the parasite showed complete identity with known B. capreoli sequences. Ixodes ricinus has been demonstrated to be a competent vector for B. capreoli from infected roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), the natural host of B. capreoli . The B. capreoli infection in these reindeer may have been transmitted by infected ticks ( Ixodes ricinus ) originating from roe deer living in the forest and meadows surrounding the enclosure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cryptosporidium infection was associated with colitis and cystitis in 2 green iguanas (Iguana iguana). The disease was characterized by a chronic clinical course of cloacal prolapses and cystitis. Histological examination of the gut and urinary bladder showed numerous Cryptosporidium developmental stages on the surface of the epithelium with mixed inflammatory response in the lamina propria. Cryptosporidium oocysts were visualised in a cytological preparation of the faeces. Based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene the cryptosporidia were characterized as belonging to the intestinal cryptosporidial lineage, but not to Cryptosporidium saurophilum or Cryptosporidium serpentis species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]