A5071127934- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Helminth infection and control
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Animal testing and alternatives
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Parasitic infections in humans and animals
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
- Biosimilars and Bioanalytical Methods
- Crystallization and Solubility Studies
University of Georgia
2018-2025
Georgia College & State University
2023
Abstract Established populations of Asian longhorned ticks (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis , were first identified in the United States (US) 2017 by sequencing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( cox1 ) ‘barcoding’ locus followed morphological confirmation. Subsequent investigations detected ALT infestations 12, mostly eastern, US states. To gain information on origin and spread ALT, we (1) sequenced from across 9 states (2) obtained sequences potential source [China, Japan...
Abstract To inform Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) eradication efforts, we evaluated the role of fish as transport hosts for worms. Ferrets fed that had ingested infected copepods became infected, highlighting importance recommendations to cook fish, bury entrails, and prevent dogs from consuming raw entrails.
Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick (ALT), is native to eastern Asia, but it has become invasive in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand and recently United States (US). To identify wild mammal avian host species US, we conducted active wildlife surveillance two states with known ALT infestations (Virginia Jersey). In addition, environmental surveys both states. These efforts resulted detection of 51 ALT-infested individuals from seven species, raccoon...
We collected and screened black rats (Rattus rattus) in Key Largo, Florida, USA, to determine the potential role of disease or parasites collapse local population. Rats appeared healthy, but 94% (n=15/16) tested positive for Sarcocystis sp. The partial 18S rRNA gene sequence was 98.7-99.7% similar a strain zuoi that is now considered newly described kani within larger S. species complex contains numerous new species. These spp. use Asian snakes as definitive hosts rodents, shrews, tree...
Abstract Dracunculus medinensis , or human Guinea worm (GW), causes a painful and debilitating infection. The global Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) has successfully reduced GW cases from 3.5 million in 21 countries 1986 to only 30 three remaining 2017. Since 2012, an increase infections domestic dogs, cats baboons been reported. Because these have not followed classical epidemiological patterns resulting water-borne transmission, it hypothesized that transmission occurs via paratenic host....
Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae), the Asian longhorned tick, is native to East Asia, but has become established in Australia and New Zealand, more recently United States. In North America, there are other species that share similar morphological characteristics can be difficult identify if specimen damaged. The goal of this study was develop a cost-effective rapid molecular diagnostic assay differentiate between exotic aid ongoing surveillance H. within States help prevent...
Abstract Ticks are medically important vectors of pathogens, many which zoonotic or impact domestic animal and/or wildlife health. Climate change, landscape use, and increasing interactions between animals, wildlife, humans have resulted in changes tick-host dynamics the emergence novel pathogens worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial to describe host geographic ranges vector species assess disease risk, particularly areas where research lacking. This task necessitates adopting a One Health...
Few secondary metabolites have been reported from mammalian microbiome bacteria despite the large numbers of diverse taxa that inhabit warm-blooded higher vertebrates. As a means to investigate natural products these microorganisms, an opportunistic sampling protocol was developed, which focused on exploring isolated roadkill mammals. This initiative made possible through establishment newly created discovery pipeline, couples laser ablation electrospray ionization mass spectrometry...
We conducted a large-scale, passive regional survey of ticks associated with wildlife the eastern United States. Our primary goals were to better assess current geographical distribution exotic Haemaphysalis longicornis and identify potential wild mammalian avian host species. However, this large-scale also provided valuable information regarding associations for many other important tick species that utilize as hosts.Ticks opportunistically collected by cooperating state federal agencies....
The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis (Journal of the Academy Natural Sciences Philadelphia, 1821, 2, 59)) is a vector Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) (International Journal Systematic Bacteriology, 1984, 34, 496), causative bacterial agent Lyme disease, part slow-moving epidemic borreliosis spreading across northern hemisphere. Well-known geographical differences in vectorial capacity these ticks are associated with genetic variation. Despite need for detailed information this...
Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is caused by several Borrelia spp. (including turicatae ), which are primarily transmitted Ornithodoros ticks. Relapsing group species found worldwide, except for Antarctica. Approximately 500 human cases were reported between 1990 and 2011 in the United States (likely an underestimate), while domestic wild dogs from Florida, Texas, Washington. TBRF spirochetes related to burgdorferi , agent of Lyme borreliosis.
Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm [GW]), a zoonotic nematode targeted for eradication, has been managed using interventions aimed at humans; however, increases in domestic dog GW infections highlight the need novel approaches. We conducted two clinical trials evaluating efficacy of subcutaneously injected flubendazole (FBZ) as treatment infection. The first trial was administering FBZ to experimentally infected ferrets; second involved or placebo dogs Republic Tchad (Chad). found...
New World vultures (Cathartiformes: Cathartidae) are obligate scavengers comprised of seven species in five genera throughout the Americas. Of these, turkey (Cathartes aura) and black (Coragyps atratus) most widespread and, although ecologically similar, have evolved differences morphology, physiology, behaviour. Three haemosporidians been reported to date: Haemoproteus catharti, Leucocytozoon toddi Plasmodium elongatum, few studies investigated haemosporidian parasites this important group...
Abstract The Active Anthrax Detect (AAD) Rapid Test lateral flow immunoassay is a point-of-care assay that was under investigational use for detecting Bacillus anthracis capsular polypeptide (polyglutamic acid) in human blood, serum and plasma. Small sample volumes, rapid results no refrigeration required allow easy either the field or laboratory. Although test developed suspect cases of inhalation anthrax, its features also make it potentially powerful tool testing animal cases. We tested...
Background: Guam, a United States of America (USA) island territory in the Pacific Ocean, is known to have large populations ticks; however, it unclear what risk wildlife and humans living on island. Dog (Canis familiaris), cat (Felis catus), wild pig (Sus scrofa) sentinels were examined for ticks, environmental sampling was conducted determine ticks present Guam prevalence tick-borne pathogens hosts. Methods Results: From March 2019-November 2020, collected from sampling, dogs, cats, pigs....
The genus Dracunculus contains numerous species of subcutaneous parasites mammals and reptiles. In North America, there are at least three mammal-infecting Dracunculus. Reports infections have been reported from river otters (Lontra canadensis) since the early 1900s; however, little is known about infecting or their ecology. Most reports do not a definitive identified because females, most common sex found due to larger size location in extremities host, lack distinguishing morphological...
Abstract Dracunculus spp. are parasitic nematodes that infect numerous species of mammals and reptiles. The life cycles complex, unknowns remain regarding the role paratenic transport hosts in transmission to definitive hosts. We had two primary objectives: assess susceptibility several anurans, lizards, fish as for species, determine long-term persistence infections African clawed frogs ( Xenopus laevis ). Animals were orally exposed copepods infected with infectious third-stage larvae...
The prevalence and diversity of parasitic nematodes in wildlife have been well studied for certain species, yet others considerable gaps knowledge exist. nematode Dracunculus insignis infects North American wildlife, past research on this species has led to an increased understanding the potential host transmission closely related human Guinea worm, medinensis (which is currently focus a global eradication program). Many definitive hosts documented D. insignis; however, life cycle only...
During 2017–2018, a survey for the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea), in rodents from Piedmont and Lower Coastal Plains physiographic regions of Georgia was conducted. On 4 occasions, single worm recovered pulmonary vessels cotton (Sigmodon hispidis). One these worms identified as Physaloptera sp. remaining 3 Mastophorus by morphology. No A. were found. Physalopteroidea) species Spiruroidea) are stomach parasites many wild domestic animals. This is first...
Parasitic nematodes in the genus Dracunculus have a complex life cycle that requires more than one host species both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The most well-studied species, medinensis, is causative agent of human Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis). There are several other infect non-human animals, primarily wildlife (reptiles mammals). classic route D. medinensis transmission to humans through ingestion water containing intermediate host, cyclopoid copepod, infected with...
In 2017, clinical disease and mortality in cattle associated with