J Scott Weese's research while affiliated with University of Guelph and other places
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Publications (623)
We tested liver samples from 372 Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from southern Ontario, Canada, during 2018-2021 to investigate presence of hepatitis E virus infection. Overall, 21 (5.6%) rats tested positive for the virus. Sequence analysis demonstrated all infections to be rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti genotype C1).
The European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) developed consensus-based generic competencies in antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship. These may be useful in structuring and evaluating antimicrobial prescribing education to veterinary students, but their applicability has not been evaluated. We aimed to evaluat...
Objective:
To describe dogs with detected Ancylostoma caninum anthelmintic treatment resistance markers in Canada.
Animals:
11 client-owned dogs with fecal quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay detected A caninum with benzimidazole (BZ) resistance genotypic markers.
Methods:
Signalment, presenting concern, duration of clinical signs, fecal testing, tr...
Synbiotics are often provided to horses receiving antibiotics to protect against microbiome disturbances, despite a lack of evidence for efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a synbiotic product in horses receiving antibiotics. Sixteen actively racing Standardbred horses were randomly allocated (four-way crossover) to on...
Three dogs were diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax and referred to the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre for management. The 3 dogs were diagnosed with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax due to paragonimosis. The diagnosis was made by visualization of adult trematodes during surgical exploration with histopathological confirmat...
We retrospectively reviewed Elizabethkingia spp. culture and susceptibility results from 86 veterinary diagnostic laboratory results from US dogs and cats. We noted 26 E. menigoseptica, 1 E. miricola, and 59 unspeciated Elizabethkingia isolates from 9 US states (2-22 isolates per state). Elizabethkingia infections in animals might increase risks to...
Introduction
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern that affects all aspects of the One Health Triad, including human, animal, and environmental health. Companion animals, such as cats and dogs, may contribute to the spread of AMR through their close contact with humans and the frequent prescription of antimicrobials. However, re...
Objective:
To compare PCR and culture results for the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi).
Animals:
Respiratory tract samples (N = 158) from horses being tested for S. equi.
Procedure:
Bacterial culture was carried out on samples from which S. equi was detected by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results:
S. equi was isolate...
Introduction:
The fecal metabolome provides insight into overall gastrointestinal and microbial health. Methods for fecal sample storage in metabolomics research vary, however, making comparisons within current literature difficult. This study investigated the effect of ambient temperature exposure on microbial-derived metabolites of feline fecal...
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from wildlife has raised concerns about spillover from humans to animals, the establishment of novel wildlife reservoirs, and the potential for future outbreaks caused by variants of wildlife origin. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are abundant in urban areas and live in...
Iron is an essential element for all living organisms, including bacteria, as several virulence factors and replication components are influenced by iron concentration. The objective of this study was to determine whether the composition and diversity of the fecal microbiota of adult horses are affected by supplemental dietary iron. Ten clinically...
Information concerning risk factors associated with Giardia infection in dogs in southern Ontario, Canada, is currently lacking. This study therefore aimed to identify risk factors for Giardia infection in dogs that visit off-leash dog parks in southern Ontario. From May-November 2018, fecal samples were collected from 466 dogs in 12 off-leash dog...
Objective
To identify the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) sequence types of Borrelia burgdorferi from Ixodes scapularis in Ontario, Canada.
Results
One hundred and eighty-five I. scapularis ticks were submitted from 134 dogs via participating clinics from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020. Seventeen MLST sequence types of B. burgdorferi were dete...
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a significant problem for human and animal health and can negatively affect the health status of macaques and other nonhuman primates (NHP) in research colonies. However, few publications provide guidance on the prevalence, genotype, or risk factors for macaques with MRSA and even fewer on...
The majority of antimicrobials that are produced are administered to animals, particularly food animals. While the overall impact of antimicrobial use in animals on antimicrobial resistance in humans and the environment is unclear, it undeniably has a role. Yet, some degree of antimicrobial use in animals is necessary for animal health and welfare...
Canine-mediated rabies kills tens of thousands of people annually in lesser-developed communities of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, primarily through bites from infected dogs. Multiple rabies outbreaks have been associated with human deaths in Nigeria. However, the lack of quality data on human rabies hinders advocacy and resource allocation for e...
Companion animals have been shown to carry Clostridioides difficile strains that are similar or identical to strains found in people, and a small number of studies have shown that pets carry genetically identical C. difficile isolates as their owners, suggesting inter-species transmission. However, the directionality of transmission is ultimately u...
Due to recent climatic and land use changes, Canada has experienced changes in tick populations, leading to an increased risk of tick bites and tick-borne pathogen exposure, especially in eastern Canada. Preventative recommendations for companion animals from veterinary professionals include regular use of tick prevention products and tick checks....
Given the enormous global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada, and manifold other zoonotic pathogen activity, there is a pressing need for a deeper understanding of the human-animal-environment interface and the intersecting biological, ecological, and societal factors contributing to the emerge...
Objective:
Chickens are a natural reservoir for zoonotic pathogens. Humans and pets may be at increased risk of illness due to contact with poultry, their eggs, and their environment. We aimed to identify any knowledge, attitude, or practice gaps among current and prospective backyard chicken owners.
Animal:
Backyard chickens.
Procedure:
Respo...
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) causes more than a million deaths globally per year due to infections incurable with currently available antibiotics. Failing to effectively address AMR will have significant negative consequences for Canadians and the Canadian economy. Canada is behind on allocation of required funding and nationally coordinated AMR...
Climatic and land use changes have contributed to substantial changes in the abundance, distribution, and activity patterns of ticks in Canada, which have led to an increased risk of tick bites and tick-borne pathogen exposure for companion animals. The objectives of this study were to describe current spatial and temporal patterns of Ixodes spp. o...
Background: The association of microbiota with clinical outcomes and the taxa associated with colitis in horses remains generally unknown.
Objectives: Describe the fecal microbiota of horses with colitis and investigate the association of the fecal microbiota with the development of laminitis and survival.
Animals: Thirty-six healthy and 55 colitis...
Background:
There are limited studies investigating the use of fecal microbial transplant (FMT) in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the feasibility of adding FMT to standard therapy (corticosteroids and a hypoallergenic diet) for dogs with IBD and to and to describe the changes in measured...
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from wildlife origins has raised concerns about spillover from humans to animals, the establishment of novel wildlife reservoirs, and the potential for future outbreaks caused by variants of wildlife origin. Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) are abundant in urban areas an...
The objective of this study was to compare the fecal microbiota of 2 healthy teaching horse herds with that of client-owned horses from the same geographic areas. The fecal microbiota of client-owned horses from Ontario Canada (n = 15) and Florida, USA (n = 11) was compared with that teaching horses from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada (n...
Objective:
To calculate prescribed daily doses (PDDs) for selected antimicrobials and evaluate application of defined daily doses (DDDs) using an antimicrobial purchasing dataset.
Animals:
Data from dogs and cats treated for bacterial cystitis at a veterinary practice network were evaluated.
Procedure:
A dataset containing antimicrobial prescr...
Increasing temperatures due to climate change have contributed to a northward range expansion of Ixodes scapularis ticks in Canada. These ticks harbour pathogens of public and animal health significance, including Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which cause Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, respectively, in humans, dogs and horses,...
Over the past decade, there has been an apparent increased frequency and widened distribution of canine leptospirosis in Canada, however, this has been minimally investigated. Availability and clinical uptake of Leptospira polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing of dogs in Canada may provide important insight into the epidemiology of this can...
Antimicrobial resistance is a complex One Health issue that exists in both human and veterinary medicine. To mitigate this ever-growing problem, efforts have been made to develop guidelines for appropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) across sectors. In veterinary medicine, there are notable literature gaps for proper AMU in minor species. We conducted...
We tested swab specimens from pets in households in Ontario, Canada, with human COVID-19 cases by quantitative PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and surveyed pet owners for risk factors associated with infection and seropositivity. We tested serum samples for spike protein IgG and IgM in household pets and also in animals from shelters and low-cost neuter clinics...
Objectives:
The primary aims of this study were to determine preferences of North American cat owners when they are prescribed an antimicrobial for their cat with regard to cost, method of administration and the importance of antibiotics for treating infections in people, and to establish baseline knowledge, attitudes and influencers of cat owners...
Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) inhabit cities worldwide and live in close association with humans. Studies of urban rat zoonoses often rely on live‐trapping, with fewer studies using rats sourced through lethal pest control interventions. Our objectives were to evaluate the utility of rats collected by pest control professionals for zoonotic patho...
Canine rabies poses a significant risk to humans and animals in Nigeria. However, the lack of reliable tools to evaluate the performance of existing canine rabies control programs to inform public health policy decisions poses a severe obstacle. We obtained canine rabies surveillance data from the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) and s...
Background:
Antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea is a common adverse effect of antimicrobial treatment in horses and has been reported following the administration of oral doxycycline. The administration of antimicrobials has also been associated with changes in the equine intestinal microbiota diversity yet has not been explored under doxycycline t...
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate shedding of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in cats admitted to an animal shelter.
Methods
Fecal samples were collected from cats admitted to an animal shelter between 12 June and 23 August 2018. Selective enrichment culture for ESBL-producing bacteria was performed...
A 4-y-old, female mixed-breed dog was presented to the Ontario Veterinary College for further evaluation of multiple pulmonary and hepatic masses, intrathoracic lymphadenitis, and recent development of a pyogranulomatous pleural effusion. Along with other comprehensive tests, a thoracic lymph node biopsy was performed, and Mycobacterium tuberculosi...
Advances in gene sequence technology and data analysis have enabled the detection and taxonomic identification of microorganisms in vivo based on their unique RNA or DNA sequences. Standard culture techniques can only detect those organisms that readily grow on artificial media in vitro. Culture-independent technology has been used to provide a mor...
Dog mediated rabies remains a significant public health risk in Nigeria. We
obtained rabies surveillance data from the National Veterinary Research
Institute (NVRI), supplemented this information with published literature from
Nigeria, and retrieved environmental and sociodemographic variables that
might explain canine rabies at the Local Gover...
Objective
Our objective was to apply next-generation sequence-based DNA barcoding to identify the remnant larval bloodmeals in wild-caught host-seeking (unengorged) Ixodes scapularis nymphs ( n = 216). To infer host species identification, vertebrate DNA was amplified using universal primers for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and sequenced us...
This study assessed the frequency and timing of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) shedding in feces following administration of a modified live FPV vaccine. Feces were collected from 37 shelter cats that did not meet clinical criteria for panleukopenia on the day of vaccination or on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-vaccination (NCL group). A commercial q...
Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate initial antimicrobial therapy in cats diagnosed with upper or lower bacterial urinary tract infections at veterinary practices in the USA and Canada.
Methods
Electronic medical records from a veterinary practice corporation with clinics in the USA and Canada were queried between 2 January 2016 and 3...
This chapter presents the information on identification, addressing, and following up on surgical site infection after cranial cruciate ligament stabilization. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of surgical site infections (SSIs) is important for patient management and facility infection control. Identifying infections promptly allows for early interven...
The reported incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) in companion animal veterinary medicine ranges from 3% to 18.1%, with increasing risk of SSI development associated with increasing classification of the surgical procedure. Environmental factors include the number of personnel in the surgical suite and potential for bacterial contamination...
The purpose of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiota of horses with acute and chronic diarrhea before and after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Six client-owned horses with acute and chronic diarrhea received FMT from 2 healthy donor horses. Microbiota analysis using next-generation sequencing was performed on fecal samples co...
Background
Antimicrobials are commonly used to treat urinary tract disease in dogs. Understanding antimicrobial use is a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Hypothesis/Objectives
To evaluate antimicrobial prescriptions for dogs diagnosed with acute cystitis, recurrent cystitis, and pyelonephritis.
Animals
Dogs prescribed anti...
Background
Human rabies remains a significant public health problem in Africa with outbreaks reported in most countries. In Nigeria–the most populous country in Africa–rabies causes a significant public health burden partly due to perennial obstacles to implementing a national prevention and control program.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review u...
In southern Ontario, Canada, there is a lack of information concerning the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs. As such, this study aimed to characterize the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs visiting off-leash parks in the region using sucrose double centrifugation and Fecal Dx® tests. Additionally, data obtained via the sucrose do...
Antimicrobials have revolutionized the practice of veterinary medicine. Antimicrobials play an important role in the prevention and treatment of oral disease, as well as extraoral disease associated with dental procedures. Antimicrobial prophylaxis of all types is coming under increased scrutiny because of concerns about exposing patients unnecessa...
This study compared a point of care and PCR test for diagnosis of panleukopenia and investigated the discrepancies using DNA copy counts.
Objectives
The aims of this study were to determine the magnitude and duration of fecal viral DNA shedding after diagnosis of feline panleukopenia (FP) in a group of shelter cats using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR); to assess the utility of a negative point-of-care test or the resolution of diarrhea and systemic signs as proxy measures for qPCR...
Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are keystone species within their grassland ecosystems; their population stability affects a multitude of other species. The goals of this study were to explore, describe and compare the bacterial communities in caecal and hard faecal samples from free-ranging black-tailed prairie dogs (n = 36) from...
Background:
Next-generation sequencing techniques have revealed that human and animal skin is colonised by a rich and diverse population of bacteria, and that microbial composition varies between different body sites and individuals. Very little is known about the normal microbiota of healthy equine skin.
Hypothesis/objectives:
To describe the t...
This study evaluated the impact of a multidisciplinary intervention to reduce and refine antimicrobial drug use for treatment of diarrhoea in dairy calves. The intervention consisted of modification of management practices for disease prevention, health evaluation training of farm staff, implementation of an algorithm directed at antimicrobial ther...
The blacklegged tick ( Ixodes scapularis), which transmits Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, has undergone rapid range expansion in Ontario. In horses, Lyme disease remains an enigmatic disease, with limited understanding of the pathogenesis and many issues pertaining to selection and interpretation of laboratory tests. We...
The equine gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota is intimately related to the health and well-being of the horse. However, access to more proximal portions of the GIT, such as the cecum, are challenging in live horses. Surgical techniques which enable in vivo cecal sampling, such as cannulation, are difficult to perform and maintenance can be problemati...
Despite advances in surgery, surgical site infections (SSIs) remain among the most feared and potentially devastating surgical complications and continue to have a major impact on healthcare costs due to additional treatment, antibiotics, hospital stay and mortality. This chapter presents the definition, epidemiology, prevention, surveillance, reco...
Objectives
The aim of this study was to optimize the diagnosis of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) in a shelter setting by: (1) comparing the results of the canine parvovirus IDEXX SNAP Parvo (SNAP) point-of-care ELISA with a commercial FPV quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) test; (2) assessing whether vomit and anal/rectal swabs could be used for e...
Background
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of concern and an investigation of recent spatio‐temporal trends of leptospirosis in dogs in the United States is needed. Leptospira PCR testing has become increasingly used in veterinary clinical medicine and these data might provide information on recent trends of disease occurrence.
Objectives
To i...
Background:
Understanding the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile is important for the development and assessment of infection prevention and control practices, as well as surveillance methods and interpretation of diagnostic testing results.
Objective:
Our objective was to longitudinally evaluate C. difficile shedding in neonatal foals and ma...
This study evaluated the effects of treatment with meloxicam (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), parity, and blood progesterone concentration on the dynamics of the uterine microbiota of 16 clinically healthy postpartum dairy cows. Seven primiparous and 9 multiparous postpartum Holstein cows either received meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg SC, n = 7 cows...
Objectives:
To quantify the individual influences of antimicrobial cost, method of administration and drug importance in human medicine on dog-owner antimicrobial preference, and determine knowledge, attitudes and influencers of dog-owners surrounding antimicrobials and antimicrobial stewardship.
Materials and methods:
Data were collected throug...
Background
The blacklegged tick (BLT) is a vector for the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), which causes Lyme disease. Range expansion of the BLT in Canada is related to an increased risk of Lyme disease in many regions. Current literature, such as the 2018 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement, suggests that there...
Objective
To determine the use and barriers to uptake of a surgical safety checklist (SSC) after implementation in a veterinary teaching hospital.
Study design
Voluntary online survey and retrospective study.
Sample population
All personnel actively involved in the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre small animal surgery service bet...
Prior to 2012, Echinococcus multilocularis was not known to occur in any host in Ontario, Canada. However, since that year, five cases of alveolar echinococcosis have been diagnosed in dogs that resided at the western end of Lake Ontario. In addition, E. multilocularis has been shown to be a common infection in wild canids (i.e. coyotes and foxes)...
Food and waterborne protozoan pathogens can cause serious disease in people. Three common species Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia enterica and Toxoplasma gondii can contaminate diverse shellfish species, including commercial oysters. Current methods of protozoan detection in shellfish are not standardized, and few are able to simultaneously identif...
Background:
The heightened prevalence of Salmonella Typhimurium remains a public health and food safety concern. Studies have reported antibiotic, flavophospholipol, may have the ability to reduce Salmonella in swine, as well as alter the gut microbiota in favour of beneficial bacteria by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria. Thus, the objective of this...
We evaluated the prevalence of Brucella canis seropositivity in a convenience sample of dogs from commercial breeding kennels in Ontario, Canada. Overall, 127/1,080 (11.8%) dogs from 23/63 (37%) kennels were seropositive. The prevalence of positive dogs within kennels with >1 positive dog ranged from 3.9% to 100% (median 33%).
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius skin infections are an increasing concern in veterinary medicine, especially when found in juvenile dogs with no prior antimicrobial exposure. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in breeding bitches and survey antimicrobial administra...
The ruminal microbiota is a complex and rich community that is stable and difficult to manipulate. Transfaunation is considered a useful method to re-stablish a dysbiotic community, such as in cases of ruminal acidosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the consequences of transfaunation on the ruminal bacteria of healthy sheep receiving...
Using next-generation sequencing DNA barcoding, we aimed to determine: 1) if the larval bloodmeal can be detected in Ixodes scapularis nymphs and 2) the post-moult temporal window for detection of the larval bloodmeal. Subsets of 30 nymphs fed on a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus, Lagomorphia: Leporidae) as larvae were reared and fr...
