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Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) is the primary cause of respiratory disease in the canine population and is caused by a wide array of viruses and bacterial pathogens with coinfections being common. Since its recognition in late 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported to cause respiratory disease in dogs. Therefore, the rapid detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 from other common viral and bacterial agents is critical from a public health standpoint. Here, we developed and validated a panel of four one-step multiplex qPCR/RT-qPCR assays for the detection and identification of twelve pathogens associated with CIRDC (canine adenovirus-2, canine distemper virus, canine herpesvirus-1, canine influenza A virus, canine parainfluenza virus, canine pneumovirus, canine respiratory coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, Bordetella bronchiseptica , Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus , Mycoplasma cynos, and M. canis ), as well as the identification of three main CIV subtypes (i.e., H3N2, H3N8, and H1N1). All developed assays demonstrated high specificity and analytical sensitivity. This panel was used to test clinical specimens ( n = 76) from CIRDC-suspected dogs. M. canis , M. cynos , and CRCoV were the most frequently identified pathogens (30.3%, 25.0%, and 19.7% of samples, respectively). The newly emerging pathogens CPnV and SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 5.3% of samples and coinfections were identified in 30.3%. This new multiplex qPCR/RT-qPCR panel is the most comprehensive panel developed thus far for identifying CIRDC pathogens, along with SARS-CoV-2.

Chlamydia spp are reported to causes systemic disease in a variety of hosts worldwide including few reports in crocodilians. Disease presentations vary from asymptomatic to fulminant disease, some of which are zoonotic. The aim of this study was to describe the pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings associated with the occurrence of a previously unreported Chlamydia sp infection causing a major mortality event in farmed American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis ). The outbreak presented with sudden death in juvenile alligators mainly associated with necrotizing hepatitis and myocarditis, followed by the occurrence of conjunctivitis after the initial high mortality event. The widespread inflammatory lesions in multiple organs correlated with intralesional chlamydial organisms identified via immunohistochemistry and confirmed by 23S rRNA-specific real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for Chlamydiaceae bacteria. By sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the OmpA gene, this uncultured Chlamydia sp grouped closely with Chlamydia poikilothermis recently described in snakes. This study highlights the significance of such outbreaks in farmed populations. Enhanced epidemiological monitoring is needed to gain further insight into the biology of Chlamydia sp in alligators, disease dynamics, risk factors, and role of carrier animals.

In August 2018, a series of large fish kills involving only Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix occurred on the Mississippi River in northern Louisiana. Clinical signs observed in moribund animals included erratic swimming behavior, such as spiraling and spinning at the surface. A moribund specimen was captured by dip net near the surface at Lake Providence Landing in East Carroll Parish, northern Louisiana, and was submitted for analysis. An aseptic necropsy was performed, and diagnostic procedures, including bacteriology, parasitology, histopathology, virology, and electron microscopy, revealed that a gram-positive coccus was the primary pathogen. Pure cultures of the organism were obtained from the brain, and it was the predominant colony type isolated from the spleen, kidney, and liver. Bacterial sepsis caused by the gram-positive coccus and involving multiple organ systems was diagnosed histologically. Bacterial colonization and necrotic lesions were seen in the spleen, liver, kidney, heart, eye, and brain. Numerous cocci were observed dividing intracellularly in phagocytic cells of the kidney and brain by transmission electron microscopy. The organism was identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae by conventional biochemical methods and subsequently by the API 20 Strep system. The identity of the pathogen was later confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Multilocus sequence analysis clustered this isolate along with two other S. dysgalactiae isolates from fish in a divergent phyletic group that was separate from other S. dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae isolates from terrestrial animals, implying a possible novel clade that is pathogenic for fish., (© 2021 American Fisheries Society.)

The United Teen Equality Center in Lowell, Massachusetts uses Street Outreach Workers (SWs) to intervene with individuals 13-23 years old who are involved in high risk behaviors or in need of assistance. Few studies have explored the perceptions of SWs by their target population (both individuals they have worked with and those who they have not yet worked with). To better understand how youth perceive the SWs and to contribute to the scant literature regarding their roles and impacts, we conducted a community-based survey to capture youth perspectives of, and experiences with SWs. Regardless of whether they had worked with a SW, youth respondents reported that their peers believed the SWs made Lowell a better place. Youth who had prior contact with a SW were more likely to respond that their peers view the SWs as helpful to youth and respected. Youth who had no prior contact with SWs were more likely to report that SWs were not present where they lived. Among youth who had worked with a SW 38% received help finding a job and 67% indicated that working with a SW made a difference in their lives. Approximately 82% of individuals who participated in mediation activities led by the SWs reported that it resolved their conflict. These results support the value of SWs in helping youth meet their needs and in mediating disputes. SWs should continue to connect with local agencies to address the needs of youth, especially employment, which was a priority.

In a multicenter study of 128 patients treated with ciprofloxacin (mean daily dosage, 982 mg per day; mean duration of treatment, 8.9 days) for a variety of infections, 48 were microbiologically proven. Of these, bacteriologic cure and/or improvement resulted in 93% of cases. For all 128 infections clinical cure and/or improvement resulted in 93.8% of cases. Twenty-nine (23.8%) of all infections were classified as chronic. Overall, there were 3/128 (2.3%) adverse reactions (ADRs); one case each of diarrhea, malaise, and nausea/vomiting. None were related definitely to ciprofloxacin therapy. Therapy with ciprofloxacin was discontinued in two (1.6%) of 128 patients because of adverse gastrointestinal (GI) effects. One patient elected to continue ciprofloxacin therapy despite mild GI side effects.