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ABSTRACT: Historically, flea-borne diseases are among the most important
medical diseases of humans. Plague and murine typhus are known for
centuries while the last years brought some new flea-transmitted
pathogens, like R. felis and Bartonella henselae.

Abstract

Introduction: Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of the illness referred to as cat scratch disease, is a common infection, particularly in children, and clinicians need to be aware of its potential transmission to humans by arthropod vectors such as fleas and ticks in addition to animal bites and scratches. The absence of a vertebrate bite or scratch does not preclude infection with B. henselae.

Materials and Methods: Literature regarding arthropod transmission of B. henselae was reviewed.

Results: B. henselae appears to be transmitted among cats and dogs in vivo exclusively by arthropod vectors (excepting perinatal transmission), not by biting and scratching. In the absence of these vectors disease does not spread. On the other hand, disease can be spread to humans by bites and scratches, and it is highly likely that it is spread as well by arthropod vectors.

Discussion: Clinicians should be aware that a common illness, infection with B. henselae, can be transmitted by arthropod vectors and a history of an animal scratch or bite is not necessary for disease transmission.

Excerpt:

RESULTS: B. henselae and related
bacterial species are transmitted among cats and dogs by
arthropod vectors. In the absence of these vectors, disease does
not spread amongst the animals. On the other hand, disease can be
spread to humans by bite and scratch as well as by arthropod
vectors. Animals commonly infected with B. henselae and arthropod
vectors are discussed. 
CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that a common illness,
cat scratch disease, can be transmitted by arthropod vectors and
a history of an animal scratch or bite is not necessary for
disease transmission.

Full article: http://www.diylife.com/2010/08/12/25-household-uses-for-borax/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl4|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diylife.com%2F2010%2F08%2F12%2F25-household-uses-for-borax%2F

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Sometimes referred to as “the miracle mineral,” this time-honored household ingredient is the natural solution for just about everything under your roof, from cleaning to insect control.

Borax, also known as sodium borate, is an a naturally occurring substance and an eco-friendly solution for many things around the house. Most commonly used as a cleaning agent, the uses extend far beyond that.

Talking with friends (ones far wiser than myself), and reading tips from Reader’s Digest,Laundry Goddess and Green Living Tips I’m excited to share all the ways you can use this natural element to your greatest advantage. Here are 25 to get you started. Let us know about your own special uses and we’ll keep updating the list. 

(Safety Warning: Just because borax is natural, that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. You should always use gloves when handling it and keep it out of reach of children and pets.While safe in the diluted solutions, borax could be very harmful to children and pets if ingested.)

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As experts from around the world met in New York this week they discussed the need for greater understanding of the threat posed by ticks, fleas and sand flies. Leading scientists called on veterinarians and dog-owners around the world to take action to protect dogs and humans from potentially lethal diseases.

Ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and, in some countries, sand flies are critical in the transmission of diseases to both dogs and humans, including life-threatening conditions such as Lyme Disease, Leishmaniasis and other important diseases such as Ehrlichiosis.

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At least 12 species in the genus Bartonella are zoonotic pathogens that may be
transmitted among mammalian hosts by fleas or other arthropods. Apparent host
specificity by some Bartonella species to mammalian hosts has been observed, and
the detection of multiple Bartonella species in mammalian fleas suggests that
fleas take bloodmeals from a variety of host species. However, many flea species
are observed to parasitize a narrow host range. Therefore, we suspect that fleas
may acquire Bartonella by a mechanism other than ingesting infectious blood. We
found that detection of multiple Bartonella genotypes and species is apparently
common in fleas and that the majority of fleas tested (5/9) carried Bartonella
species atypical of their hosts. We also detected Bartonella DNA in flea
reproductive tissues, suggesting that vertical transmission of this organism in
vectors is possible, potentially leading to the accumulation of Bartonella
diversity over time within fleas.The ISME Journal advance online publication, 11
March 2010; doi:10.1038/ismej.2010.22.

A North Carolina State University researcher has discovered that bacteria transmitted by fleas–and potentially ticks–can be passed to human babies by the mother, causing chronic infections and raising the possibility of bacterially induced birth defects

Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, professor of internal medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences, is among the world’s leading experts on Bartonella, a bacteria that is maintained in nature by fleas, ticks and other biting insects, but which can be transmitted by infected cats and dogs as well. The most commonly known Bartonella-related illness is cat scratch disease, caused by B. henselae, a strain of Bartonella that can be carried in a cat’s blood for months to years. Cat scratch disease was thought to be a self-limiting, or “one-time” infection; however, Breitschwerdt’s previous work discovered cases of children and adults with chronic, blood-borne Bartonella infections–from strains of the bacteria that are most often transmitted to cats (B. henselae) and dogs (B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii) by fleas and other insects.

In his most recent case study, Breitschwerdt’s research group tested blood and tissue samples taken over a period of years from a mother, father and son who had suffered chronic illnesses for over a decade. Autopsy samples from their daughter–the son’s twin who died shortly after birth–contained DNA evidence of B. henselae and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffi infection, which was also found in the other members of the family.

Both parents had suffered recurring neurological symptoms including headaches and memory loss, as well as shortness of breath, muscle weakness and fatigue before the children were born. In addition, their 10-year-old son was chronically ill from birth and their daughter died due to a heart defect at nine days of age.

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We conducted a prospective study to determine causes of acute febrile illness in 4 community hospitals, 2 in Chiang Rai (northern Thailand) and 2 in Khon Kaen (northeastern Thailand). We enrolled patients >7 years of age with a temperature >38°C who were brought to study hospitals for treatment from February 4, 2002, through March 28, 2003. Patients were excluded if they had a history of fever for >2 weeks or an infection that could be diagnosed clinically. Acute-phase serum samples were collected at the time of enrollment and convalescent-phase serum samples 3–5 weeks later. We enrolled nonfebrile control patients >14 years of age who had noninfectious conditions; acute-phase serum samples were collected. Clinical information was abstracted from patient charts. Nurses conducted physical examinations and personal interviews to collect information on patients’ demographic characteristics, exposures to animals, and outdoor activities.

Serum samples were tested for immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies to Bartonella spp. by immunofluorescent antibody assay at the Bartonella Laboratory of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA. Strains used for antigen production were: B. elizabethae (F9251), B. henselae (Houston-1), B. quintana (Fuller), and B. vinsonii subsp. vinsonii (Baker). Homologous hyperimmune serum specimens were produced in BALB/c mice as previously described (8). Bartonella infection was considered confirmed in febrile patients who had a >4-fold rise in IgG antibody titers and a convalescent-phase titer >64. Probable infection was defined as 1) a 4-fold antibody titer rise but convalescent-phase titers of 64, or 2) high and stable titers (>512 in acute-phase and convalescent-phase serum samples), or 3) acute-phase titer >512 with a >4-fold titer fall. Paired serum samples from febrile patients were also tested for serologic evidence of other common causes of febrile illness in Southeast Asia.

Febrile patients with acute-phase and convalescent-phase IgG antibody titers <128 were considered not to have Bartonella infection; we compared demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients to Bartonella-infected patients. To evaluate potential risk factors, we compared Bartonella-infected case-patients >14 years of age without serologic evidence of other infections (n = 20) to nonfebrile controls with IgG to Bartonella <128 (n = 70). Age adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

In Italy, dogs and cats are at risk of becoming infected by
different vector-borne pathogens, including protozoa, bacteria,
and helminths. Ticks, fleas, phlebotomine sand flies, and
mosquitoes are recognized vectors of pathogens affecting cats and
dogs, some of which (e.g., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia
burgdorferi, Dipylidium caninum, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria
immitis, and Dirofilaria repens) are of zoonotic concern. Recent
studies have highlighted the potential of fleas as vectors of
pathogens of zoonotic relevance (e.g., Rickettsia felis) in this
country. While some arthropod vectors (e.g., ticks and fleas) are
present in certain Italian regions throughout the year, others
(e.g., phlebotomine sand flies) are most active during the summer
season.