Dr. Yan Zhang, DVM, PhD, ADDL Virology Section Head
Each year, fair livestock shows provide a showcase of successful completion of youth projects and their hard work and dedication to their livestock. Occasionally, influenza outbreaks occur among show pigs. Clinical signs include fever, off feed, lethargy, and respiratory signs such as sneezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. The disease can be zoonotic and transmission to humans is possible. To protect pig and public health, ADDL provides a rapid PCR diagnostic test for influenza in show pigs. Nasal swabs from pigs with clinical signs consistent with the flu should be collected and sent on ice to ADDL by a courier or overnight mail delivery. Please contact ADDL at 612-728-6220 for testing information. ODA also has helpful advice to minimize influenza transmission at swine exhibitions.
First Confirmed Case of Feline Cytauxzoonosis at ADDL
Dr. Craig Sarver, MS, DVM, Pathologist, and Dr. Jeff Hayes, MS, DVM, Pathology Section Head
The first cat in Ohio to be confirmed with a fatal infection
of Cytauxzoon felis was diagnosed in
June, 2018 at the ADDL. Necropsy of a 6-year-old, female, Domestic Short Haired
cat from Scioto County showed gross lesions that included moderate dehydration,
pale yellow mucus membranes and subcutaneous tissues (jaundice), splenomegaly,
hydrothorax, pulmonary congestion and edema, hepatopathy evidenced by red
mottled areas in the parenchyma, and dark yellow urine. The cat was 1 of 3 affected
cats in a household of six that died suddenly with signs of anemia, high
fever, lethargy, kidney disease and liver disease. All 3 affected felines were
covered in ticks.
Histopathology of the lung showed multiple pulmonary vessels
and septal capillaries filled with numerous macrophages laden with schizonts
that had numerous 1-2-micron diameter, round to oval, basophilic organisms
(merozoites). Hepatic vessels have
myriad schizont-laden macrophages with smaller numbers in the sinusoids. Low
numbers of macrophages containing similar schizonts were found in the kidney. Spleen tissue was forwarded to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Vector Borne Diagnostic Laboratory, which detected nucleic acid of Cytauxzoon by PCR testing.
Cytauxzoon
felis is
a protozoan hemoparasite in the family of Theileriidae,
that causes severe clinical disease and high mortality in domestic and exotic cats in the south central and southeastern United States. The disease has erythocytic and tissue macrophage stages of infection. The natural reservoir is the North
American bobcat (Lynx fufus) where
the Cytauxzoon infection is usually
subclinical. The infection is transferred from wild bobcats to domesticated
cats by tick vectors (Dermacentor
variabilis and Amblyomma americanum). Pet owners are reminded to check their
pets often for ticks and to develop a tick bite prevention program for their
pets in consultation with their veterinarian.
Macrophages laden with C. felis schizonts are present in vessel lumens of a section of liver (left) and lung (right) from a 6-year-old DSH cat that died from this infection.
New Employee Spotlight
Charity
Conn started with the Animal Health Division in May. She resides near Thornville with her husband
David, and has two grown stepchildren. Charity graduated from Zane
State College with an Associate of Applied Science. She worked on a local dairy farm for three and a half years where she milked 50-70 head of cattle, cared for newborn calves and assisted with herd
management. Prior to coming to the ADDL, Charity worked as a Receptionist
and Veterinary Assistant in a busy veterinary clinic. Charity has a
variety of hobbies including, baking, walking, gardening, knitting,
cross-stitching, kayaking, reading, road trips, (she’s always up for an
adventure and to learn something new) and hanging out with her niece Lilly.
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Summer Interns Learn, Contribute at ADDL
L to R: Lauren Brady, Becky Fultz, Hanna Cook, Drew Barkley
Melanie Prarat, MS, ADDL Virology Section
The ADDL had several graduate students intern in Bacteriology, Pathology and Virology. All four are current graduate students in Ohio State University's Master of Public Health - Veterinary Public Health Program. Lauren spent her time in the Bacteriology section working with Salmonella. Becky worked in the Pathology section, focusing on bovine enteric cases. Hanna specialized in researching avian influenza and learning new virology lab techniques. Drew became an expert in influenza viruses and was introduced to the field of bioinformatics.
Allison Rapp and Catherine Ephlin
The ADDL Virology Section was fortunate to welcome two undergraduate students to intern this summer in the laboratory. Catherine Ephlin (BS '19, Animal Sciences, Purdue University) and Allison Rapp (BS '21, Animal Sciences, Ohio State Univeristy) got a glimpse of daily veterinary diagnostic lab life, from sample receipt and processing, to testing and reporting of results to our clients. They were involved in several projects involving lab logistics, observed several necropsies, and learned how new technologies, like whole genome sequencing, are revolutionizing diagnostic medicine.
"My favorite part of working in the lab was gaining experience in the field of Public Health (I am pursuing a career in Veterinary Public Health), an area we are not as exposed to as much in the university setting."
Catherine Ephlin
"My favorite part of being an ADDL intern was gaining hands-on lab experience with some of the best professionals in the field."
Allison Rapp
We wish them the best of luck back at school and hope to see them again in the future!
Learn more about our ODA internship program.
ADDL Website
ADDL Test and Fees Search
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