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Taber R, Pankowski A, Ludwig AL, Jensen M, Magsamen V, Lashnits E. Bartonellosis in Dogs and Cats, an Update. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2022; 52:1163-1192. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Prevalence of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Reproductive and Non-Reproductive Tissue Samples from Free-Roaming Domestic Cats in the South Atlantic USA. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091221. [PMID: 34578253 PMCID: PMC8472639 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Reservoir to multiple species of zoonotic pathogens, free-roaming cats (FRCs) interact with domestic and wild animals, vectors, and humans. To assess the potential for feline vector-borne pathogens to be vertically transmitted, this study surveyed ear tip and reproductive tissues of FRCs from two locations in the South Atlantic United States for Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia species. We collected ovary (n = 72), uterus (n = 54), testicle (n = 74), and ear tip (n = 73) tissue from 73 cats, and fetal (n = 20) and placental (n = 19) tissue from 11 queens. Pathogen DNA was amplified utilizing qPCR, confirmed by sequencing. Cats were more frequently Bartonella henselae positive on reproductive tissues (19%, 14/73) than ear tip (5%, 4/73; p = 0.02). B. henselae was amplified from fetus (20%, 4/20) and placenta samples (11%, 2/19). Bartonella spp. infection was more common in cats from North Carolina (76%, 26/34) than Virginia (13%, 5/39; p < 0.0001). Fourteen percent (10/73) of both ear tip and reproductive tissues were positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia spp. DNA was not amplified from any cat/tissue. These findings suggest that B. henselae preferentially infected cats' reproductive tissue and reinforces the importance of investigating the potential for B. henselae vertical transmission or induction of reproductive failure.
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Okaro U, George S, Anderson B. What Is in a Cat Scratch? Growth of Bartonella henselae in a Biofilm. Microorganisms 2021; 9:835. [PMID: 33919891 PMCID: PMC8070961 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, bacteremia, and endocarditis, as well as other clinical presentations. B. henselae has been shown to form a biofilm in vitro that likely plays a role in the establishment and persistence of the bacterium in the host. Biofilms are also known to form in the cat flea vector; hence, the ability of this bacterium to form a biofilm has broad biological significance. The release of B. henselae from a biofilm niche appears to be important in disease persistence and relapse in the vertebrate host but also in transmission by the cat flea vector. It has been shown that the BadA adhesin of B. henselae is critical for adherence and biofilm formation. Thus, the upregulation of badA is important in initiating biofilm formation, and down-regulation is important in the release of the bacterium from the biofilm. We summarize the current knowledge of biofilm formation in Bartonella species and the role of BadA in biofilm formation. We discuss the evidence that defines possible mechanisms for the regulation of the genes required for biofilm formation. We further describe the regulation of those genes in the conditions that mimic both the arthropod vector and the mammalian host for B. henselae. The treatment for persistent B. henselae infection remains a challenge; hence, a better understanding of the mechanisms by which this bacterium persists in its host is critical to inform future efforts to develop drugs to treat such infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udoka Okaro
- Foundational Sciences Directorate, Bacteriology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Sierra George
- Department of Molecular Medicine, MDC7, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
| | - Burt Anderson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, MDC7, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
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Exposure of Domestic Cats to Three Zoonotic Bartonella Species in the United States. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030354. [PMID: 33802644 PMCID: PMC8002574 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cat-associated Bartonella species, which include B. henselae, B. koehlerae, and B. clarridgeiae, can cause mild to severe illness in humans. In the present study, we evaluated 1362 serum samples obtained from domestic cats across the U.S. for seroreactivity against three species and two strain types of Bartonella associated with cats (B. henselae type 1, B. henselae type 2, B. koehlerae, and B. clarridgeiae) using an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Overall, the seroprevalence at the cutoff titer level of ≥1:64 was 23.1%. Seroreactivity was 11.1% and 3.7% at the titer level cutoff of ≥1:128 and at the cutoff of ≥1:256, respectively. The highest observation of seroreactivity occurred in the East South-Central, South Atlantic, West North-Central, and West South-Central regions. The lowest seroreactivity was detected in the East North-Central, Middle Atlantic, Mountain, New England, and Pacific regions. We observed reactivity against all four Bartonella spp. antigens in samples from eight out of the nine U.S. geographic regions.
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Abstract
Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of domestic animals and humans. The pathogenic ability of Brucella organisms relies on their stealthy strategy and their capacity to replicate within host cells and to induce long-lasting infections. Brucella organisms barely induce neutrophil activation and survive within these leukocytes by resisting microbicidal mechanisms. Very few Brucella-infected neutrophils are found in the target organs, except for the bone marrow, early in infection. Still, Brucella induces a mild reactive oxygen species formation and, through its lipopolysaccharide, promotes the premature death of neutrophils, which release chemokines and express "eat me" signals. This effect drives the phagocytosis of infected neutrophils by mononuclear cells that become thoroughly susceptible to Brucella replication and vehicles for bacterial dispersion. The premature death of the infected neutrophils proceeds without NETosis, necrosis/oncosis, or classical apoptosis morphology. In the absence of neutrophils, the Th1 response exacerbates and promotes bacterial removal, indicating that Brucella-infected neutrophils dampen adaptive immunity. This modulatory effect opens a window for bacterial dispersion in host tissues before adaptive immunity becomes fully activated. However, the hyperactivation of immunity is not without a price, since neutropenic Brucella-infected animals develop cachexia in the early phases of the disease. The delay in the immunological response seems a sine qua non requirement for the development of long-lasting brucellosis. This property may be shared with other pathogenic alphaproteobacteria closely related to Brucella We propose a model in which Brucella-infected polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) function as "Trojan horse" vehicles for bacterial dispersal and as modulators of the Th1 adaptive immunity in infection.
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Raimundo JM, Guimarães A, Amaro GM, da Silva AT, Botelho CFM, Massard CL, de Lemos ERS, Favacho ARM, Baldani CD. Molecular Survey of Bartonella Species in Shelter Cats in Rio De Janeiro: Clinical, Hematological, and Risk Factors. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 100:1321-1327. [PMID: 31017080 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to detect Bartonella DNA in cats belonging to shelters, and to evaluate risk factors, clinical signs, and hematological abnormalities associated with infection. Complete blood counts and screening for the presence of Bartonella DNA were performed on cats' ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid anticoagulant-blood samples. Eighty-three cats (39.9%) were positive for Bartonella species. Bartonella DNA was also detected in fleas and in the blood of cats infested by positive flea. Cats that had not been sterilized, had outdoor access, had histories of fights, and had concurrent flea infestation were more likely to be infected by Bartonella species (P < 0.05). Age and sex were not associated with infection. Fifty-one (38.6%) symptomatic cats were positive to Bartonella species (P > 0.05). Clinical conditions most commonly observed were signs of respiratory abnormality and Sporothrix species coinfection (P > 0.05). Regarding hematological changes, eosinophilia was associated with infection (P < 0.05). A high frequency of Bartonella species infection was found in shelter cats and highlights the importance of adequate flea-control programs to prevent infection in cats and consequently in adopters and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana M Raimundo
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Andresa Guimarães
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Gleice M Amaro
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Aline T da Silva
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Camila F M Botelho
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Carlos L Massard
- Departament of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cristiane D Baldani
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
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Álvarez-Fernández A, Breitschwerdt EB, Solano-Gallego L. Bartonella infections in cats and dogs including zoonotic aspects. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:624. [PMID: 30514361 PMCID: PMC6280416 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3152-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bartonellosis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution that can infect humans and a large number of mammals including small companion animals (cats and dogs). In recent years, an increasing number of studies from around the world have reported Bartonella infections, although publications have predominantly focused on the North American perspective. Currently, clinico-pathological data from Europe are more limited, suggesting that bartonellosis may be an infrequent or underdiagnosed infectious disease in cats and dogs. Research is needed to confirm or exclude Bartonella infection as a cause of a spectrum of feline and canine diseases. Bartonella spp. can cause acute or chronic infections in cats, dogs and humans. On a comparative medical basis, different clinical manifestations, such as periods of intermittent fever, granulomatous inflammation involving the heart, liver, lymph nodes and other tissues, endocarditis, bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatis, uveitis and vasoproliferative tumors have been reported in cats, dogs and humans. The purpose of this review is to provide an update and European perspective on Bartonella infections in cats and dogs, including clinical, diagnostic, epidemiological, pathological, treatment and zoonotic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Álvarez-Fernández
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Edward B. Breitschwerdt
- Department of Clinical Sciences and the Comparative Medicine Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607 USA
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Silva BTGD, Souza AMD, Campos SDE, Lemos ERSD, Favacho ARDM, Almosny NRP. Presence of Bartonella spp. in domestic cats from a state park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2018. [PMID: 29538511 PMCID: PMC5962242 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201860014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Bergmann M, Hartmann K. Vector-borne diseases in cats in Germany. TIERAERZTLICHE PRAXIS AUSGABE KLEINTIERE HEIMTIERE 2017; 45:329-335. [PMID: 28905982 DOI: 10.15654/tpk-160874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are caused by a wide range of pathogens, which are transmitted by a variety of vectors, such as ticks and fleas. As a result of climate changes, more vector-borne diseases are becoming endemic in Germany, not only in dogs, but also in cats. For some of the pathogens prevalence data still need to be investigated in Germany. However, natural infections with Bartonella, Anaplasma, haemotropic Mycoplasma and Borrelia species have already been described in German cats. Clinical relevance of these pathogens is not fully understood, and it is still unknown, why most infected cats stay asymptomatic and which predisposing factors contribute to the development of clinical signs in cats. Moreover, there is a risk of zoonotic transmission for some of the pathogens, e. g., for some Bartonella spp. infections that are associated with cat scratch disease in humans. Due to the increasing number of VBDs in cats in Germany, preventive measures, such as the use of acaricides and insecticides, should be performed on a regular base in order to reduce the risk of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michèle Bergmann
- Michèle Bergmann, Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539 München, Germany,
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Bergmann M, Englert T, Stuetzer B, Hawley JR, Lappin MR, Hartmann K. Prevalence of Bartonella
species infections in cats in Southern Germany. Vet Rec 2017; 180:325. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.103843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Bergmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine; Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich; Veterinaerstrasse 13 Munich 80539 Germany
| | - T. Englert
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine; Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich; Veterinaerstrasse 13 Munich 80539 Germany
| | - B. Stuetzer
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine; Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich; Veterinaerstrasse 13 Munich 80539 Germany
| | - J. R. Hawley
- Center for Companion Animal Studies; Department of Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University; Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - M. R. Lappin
- Center for Companion Animal Studies; Department of Clinical Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University; Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - K. Hartmann
- Clinic of Small Animal Medicine; Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich; Veterinaerstrasse 13 Munich 80539 Germany
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Diakou A, Di Cesare A, Accettura PM, Barros L, Iorio R, Paoletti B, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Halos L, Beugnet F, Traversa D. Intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens in stray and free-roaming cats living in continental and insular Greece. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005335. [PMID: 28141857 PMCID: PMC5302838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This survey investigated the distribution of various intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens in stray and free-roaming cats living in four regions of Greece. A total number of one hundred and fifty cats living in three Islands (Crete, Mykonos and Skopelos) and in Athens municipality was established as a realistic aim to be accomplished in the study areas. All cats were examined with different microscopic, serological and molecular assays aiming at evaluating the occurrence of intestinal parasites, and exposure to or presence of vector-borne infections. A total of 135 cats (90%) was positive for one or more parasites and/or pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites. Forty-four (29.3%) cats were positive for one single infection, while 91 (60.7%) for more than one pathogen. A high number of (n. 53) multiple infections caused by feline intestinal and vector-borne agents including at least one zoonotic pathogen was detected. Among them, the most frequently recorded helminths were roundworms (Toxocara cati, 24%) and Dipylidium caninum (2%), while a high number of examined animals (58.8%) had seroreaction for Bartonella spp., followed by Rickettsia spp. (43.2%) and Leishmania infantum (6.1%). DNA-based assays revealed the zoonotic arthropod-borne organisms Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, Rickettsia spp., and L. infantum. These results show that free-ranging cats living in areas of Greece under examination may be exposed to a plethora of internal parasites and vector-borne pathogens, some of them potentially able to infect humans. Therefore, epidemiological vigilance and appropriate control measures are crucial for the prevention and control of these infections and to minimize the risk of infection for people. Several intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens, some of that with zoonotic potential, often occur in free-ranging cat populations. Stray cats are abundant in touristic areas of Greece, where they live in free colonies. With the aim to enhance our knowledge on the hazard posed by cats living in Greek touristic spots, the present research has evaluated the presence of intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens in stray cats living in selected areas. The study demonstrates that these pathogens are present in Greece and that appropriate control measures should be implemented to minimize the risk for cats and people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio snc., Teramo, Italy
| | - Paolo Matteo Accettura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio snc., Teramo, Italy
| | - Luciano Barros
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio snc., Teramo, Italy
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria MSV/UFF, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 Icaraí, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raffaella Iorio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio snc., Teramo, Italy
| | - Barbara Paoletti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio snc., Teramo, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio snc., Teramo, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Biology and Diseases of Cats. LABORATORY ANIMAL MEDICINE 2015. [PMCID: PMC7149628 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-409527-4.00013-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Switzer AD, McMillan-Cole AC, Kasten RW, Stuckey MJ, Kass PH, Chomel BB. Bartonella and Toxoplasma infections in stray cats from Iraq. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013; 89:1219-24. [PMID: 24062480 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of overpopulation, stray/feral cats were captured on military bases in Iraq as part of the US Army Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Program. Blood samples were collected from 207 cats, mainly in Baghdad but also in North and West Iraq, to determine the prevalence of Bartonella and Toxoplasma infections. Nine (4.3%) cats, all from Baghdad, were bacteremic with B. henselae type I. Seroprevalence was 30.4% for T. gondii, 15% for B. henselae, and 12.6% for B. clarridgeiae. Differences in Bartonella prevalence by location were statistically significant, because most of the seropositive cats were from Baghdad. There was no association between T. gondii seropositivity and either of the two Bartonella species surveyed. This report is the first report on the prevalence of Bartonella and T. gondii among stray cats in Iraq, which allows for better evaluation of the zoonotic risk potential to the Iraqi people and deployed military personnel by feral cat colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra D Switzer
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Public Health Command Region-Pacific, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
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