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The article summarizes the findings of five pediatric cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) from May 16 to November 25, 2009 in Arizona, California, Colorado and Washington. It mentions the common observations on thrombocytopenia, such as raised white blood cell count and pulmonary infiltrates in all five children and raised hematocrit in three. Presented in details are the medical history of each patient and clinical findings. The means of transmission of HPS is investigated. It concludes that public health agencies should encourage preventive measures, like rodent control in housing and play areas, and children should be warned to avoid contact with rodents and areas of infestation.

The true incidence of Brucella canis in humans is unknown, but immunocompromised patients in direct contact with dogs are thought to be at a higher risk for infection. In this case report, we present a human case of B. canis in a patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents results from a clinical trial conducted by the American Red Cross that examined the screening of donated blood for Chagas disease, a zoonotic disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The Red Cross study found that some donations tested positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. The Chagas disease screening test was developed by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics. It is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that uses epimastigote lysate antigens to detect Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in serum and plasma.

Abstract Background Francisella tularensis is the etiologic agent of tularemia and is classified as a select agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently four known subspecies of F. tularensis that differ in virulence and geographical distribution are recognized:tularensis (type A), holarctica (type B), mediasiatica, and novicida. Because of the Select Agent status and differences in virulence and geographical location, the molecular analysis of any clinical case of tularemia is of particular interest. We analyzed an unusual Francisella clinical isolate from a human infection in Arizona using multiple DNA-based approaches. Findings We report that the isolate is F. tularensis subsp. novicida, a subspecies that is rarely isolated. Conclusion The rarity of this novicida subspecies in clinical settings makes each case study important for our understanding of its role in disease and its genetic relationship with other F. tularensis subspecies.

More than 70% of zoonotic diseases are wildlife associated putting wildlife professionals at increased risk of occupational exposure. In 2008 and 2018, the Arizona Department of Health Services surveyed Arizona wildlife professionals from multiple agencies to assess the risk of disease exposure, rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) history, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and zoonoses knowledge. In 2008, a 12-question survey was distributed at a state wildlife professional meeting using an anonymous email link. In 2018, a 20-question survey was distributed using an anonymous email link to wildlife agency employees. We received 164 and 81 complete responses in the 2008 and 2018 surveys, respectively. Bites from rabies reservoir or spillover species were higher in 2008 (42%) than in 2018 (16%). More respondents received PrEP in 2018 (53%) than in 2008 (45%). Among 43 respondents who performed necropsies or collected animal samples within the past 5 years (2014-2018), only 60% always wore latex or nitrile gloves, and 79% never wore a facemask. Respondents indicated lower awareness of certain zoonoses, including brucellosis (72%) and leptospirosis (60%). Results on zoonoses awareness and reasons for non-use of PPE highlighted targets for education to improve practices, including facilitation of PPE training to prevent future disease transmission.