A5058218973- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Study of Mite Species
- Helminth infection and control
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Mollusks and Parasites Studies
University of Georgia
2016-2025
Southeastern Health
2003-2025
Georgia College & State University
2007-2024
Long Island University
2024
West Health
2024
University of California, Davis
2013-2024
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
2024
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
2023
United States Department of Agriculture
2009-2023
Berry College
2019
Haemaphysalis longicornis is a tick indigenous to eastern Asia and an important vector of human animal disease agents, resulting in such outcomes as hemorrhagic fever reduction production dairy cattle by 25%. H. was discovered on sheep New Jersey August 2017 (1). This the first detection United States outside quarantine. In spring 2018, again detected at index site, later, other counties Jersey, seven states States, Arkansas. The hosts included six species domestic animals, wildlife, humans....
Cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in North Carolina have escalated markedly since 2000. In 2005, we identified a county the Piedmont region with high case numbers RMSF. We collected ticks and examined them for bacterial pathogens using molecular methods to determine if novel tick vector or group rickettsiae (SFGR) might be emerging. Amblyomma americanum, lone star tick, comprised 99.6% 6,502 specimens suburban landscapes. contrast, Dermacentor variabilis, American dog principal...
Abstract Autochthonous transmission of the Chagas disease parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, was detected in a patient rural New Orleans, Louisiana. The had positive test results from 2 serologic tests and hemoculture. Fifty-six percent 18 Triatoma sanguisuga collected house were for T. cruzi by PCR.
Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype is a parasite that causes disease in cattle results major economic issues Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. The transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks, which have recently been reported numerous states throughout the eastern United States. Concurrently, Virginia showed clinical signs consistent with hemoprotozoan infection. We used amplicons specific for piroplasm surface protein small subunit rDNA of piroplasms to test blood samples from PCR....
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...
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a geographically widespread, popular game bird and conservation icon in North America. Following successful reestablishment parts of the US Canada, regional declines have fueled population health concerns; therefore, understanding mortality causes spatiotemporal patterns disease important to uncover potential ongoing future risks. Histomonosis, caused by trichomonad Histomonas meleagridis, well-established potentially fatal Turkeys; however, its...
The distribution of West Nile virus (WNV) is dependent on the occurrence both susceptible avian reservoir hosts and competent mosquito vectors. Both factors can be influenced by geographic variables such as land use/landcover, elevation, human population density, physiographic region, temperature. current study uses information systems (GIS) logistic regression analyses to model WNV in state Georgia based a wild bird indicator system, identify environmental predictor that are important...
Abstract Two closely related zoonotic ehrlichiae, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii, are transmitted by Amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick. Because white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) critical hosts for all mobile stages of A. americanum important vertebrate reservoirs chaffeensis, we investigated whether may be infected with a cause granulocytotropic ehrlichiosis in humans dogs. To test ewingii infection, used polymerase chain reaction inoculation fawns whole blood from wild...
Waterfowl from northwestern Minnesota were sampled by cloacal swabbing for Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) July – October in 2007 and 2008. AIV was detected 222 (9.1%) of 2,441 ducks 438 (17.9%) 2,452 Prevalence peaked late summer. We 27 subtypes during 31 Ten hemagglutinin (HA) each year (i.e., H1, 3–8, 10–12 2007; H1-8, 10 11 2008). All neuraminidase (NA) the study. Subtype diversity varied between years increased with prevalence into September. Predominant (comprising ≥5% subtype diversity)...
Abstract Studies have characterized Trypanosoma cruzi from parasite-endemic regions. With new human cases, increasing numbers of veterinary and influx potentially infected immigrants, understanding the ecology this organism in United States is imperative. We used a classic typing scheme to determine lineage 107 isolates various hosts.
Abstract Global trade in the North American bullfrog Rana catesbeiana has been implicated introduction and spread of amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis . Large‐scale production for human consumption ongoing since early part 20th century, particularly Brazil, a pioneer farming following its 1930s. In order to determine whether bullfrogs introduced Brazil farmed food serve as reservoirs disease, we tested individuals located Brazilian states São Paulo Pará prevalence B....
This study evaluated the exposure of dogs to three different Ehrlichia spp. in south and central regions United States where vector-borne disease prevalence has been previously difficult ascertain, particularly beyond metropolitan areas.
Forty-two Trichomonas gallinae isolates were molecularly characterized to determine whether differed in genetic sequence of multiple gene targets depending on host species or geographical location. The 5.8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions amplified by polymerase chain reaction, the sequences analyzed phylogenetically. results analysis strongly suggest at least 2 may exist within T. morphologic complex. Based ITS sequences, one group demonstrated...
Wild birds of the orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes are natural reservoirs for avian influenza (AI) viruses. Traditionally, AI virus surveillance in wild has relied on identification strategies, including isolation detection. To evaluate accuracy a commercial blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test detection antibodies birds, which is indicative infection, we tested 281 serum samples from various species that were experimentally infected...
The host–vector–parasite interactions in Chagas disease peridomestic transmission cycles the United States are not yet well understood. Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) infection prevalence and bloodmeal sources were determined for adult immature triatomine (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) specimens collected from residential settings central Texas. Sequenced cytochrome b DNA segments obtained digestive tract identified nine vertebrate hosts one invertebrate host four species...
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is the most common tick-borne illness in Tennessee. Little known about occurrence of R. rickettsii, causative agent, ticks To better understand prevalence and distribution rickettsial agents ticks, we tested 1,265 Amblyomma , Dermacentor Ixodes adult nymphal ticks. Additionally, 231 americanum larvae. Ticks were collected from 49 counties humans, wild animals, domestic canines, flannel drags. Spotted group rickettsiae (SFGR) DNA was detected by polymerase...
Significance Amphibians are among the most threatened animal groups. Population declines and extinctions have been linked, in part, to emerging infectious diseases. One such disease has attributed Perkinsea-like protists causing mass mortality events United States. Using molecular methods, we evaluated diversity of Perkinsea parasites livers sampled from a wide taxonomic collection tadpoles six countries across three continents. We discovered previously unidentified phylogenetically distinct...