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HealthGene’s Health Awareness Program is one year old. We have learned a lot during this past year and have received good
responses to the program. Zoonotic infections are still underestimated not only in the veterinary community but also among
family physicians. In a survey done on Wisconsin in 1998, physicians and veterinarians were questioned about zoonotic
disease risk. Most physicians admitted that they felt uncomfortable advising their patients of the health risks associated
with animal contacts and suggested that veterinarians should play a greater role. Indeed, veterinarians indicated that
they encounter zoonotic diseases frequently and discuss these matters with pet owners on an individual basis. The role of
a veterinarian becomes vital not only in protecting and treating animals, but also in educating pet owners and their
families of potential risks.
Last year, the Health Awareness Program brought several pet owners to their family physicians.
CASE 1. Leptospira spp.
HealthGene received a sample from an animal clinic in Ontario to test a German Shepherd for Canine Health Awareness
Profile (CHAP 1). In a couple of days the result was faxed to the clinic with Leptospira spp. being positive. By
this point, the dog had started showing first signs of the disease and the family was wisely advised by the veterinarian
to see a doctor. Leptospira spp. is a bacteria that is spread through urine of the infected animal. The usual method of
testing for Leptospirosis is an antibody detection. This method cannot accurately identify early stages of infection and
even positive results require an additional confirmation testing in 2-4 weeks after the first analysis. DNA testing allows
for accurate, fast, and very specific detection of even the smallest number of bacteria in a sample. DNA testing of the
family of four revealed that a 7-year old girl had been infected with the bacteria. Early detection allowed for effective
treatment and rapid recovery.
CASE 2. Chlamydia psittaci
Several cases have been brought to HealthGene’s attention after testing positive for Chlamydia psittaci.
The first case was an elderly man who learned about HealthGene’s Health Awareness Program from a flyer in a veterinarian’s
waiting room while awaiting an appointment for his cat. The cat was undergoing treatment for extra-ocular problems caused
by C. psittaci. Many chronic illnesses in humans have also been linked to C. psittaci in different
medical publications. The man had been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. After learning about the possibility of
“sharing” this infection, and followed by testing positive for C. psittaci, the man was treated and relieved of
some of the signs of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Other cases involve human infections through parrots. Statistics show that approximately 10% of people working with parrots
would be infected at least once with C. psittaci. Humans are usually infected by the inhalation of infective
particles in the air and immunodeficient people are especially susceptible to the infection. Positive results for
Chlamydia psittaci in several aviaries have been confirmed afterwards in the breeders.
In future newsletters we will continue discussing zoonotic infections. We would like to remind you that the Health Awareness
Program includes three profiles:
AHAP1 - Avian Health Awareness Profile (Aspergillus spp., Chlamydia psittaci,
Cryptosporidium spp., Mycobacterium spp. (avian tuberculosis), Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas gallinae)
CHAP1 - Canine Health Awareness Profile (Aspergillus spp., Brucella spp., Campylobacter jejuni,
Giardia spp., Leptospira spp., Mycoplasma spp., Salmonella spp., Ureaplasma spp.)
FHAP1 - Feline Health Awareness Profile (Campylobacter jejuni, Bartonella henselae (cat
scratch disease), Chlamydia psittaci, Giardia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Salmonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii)
For any additional information please contact our main office at 1-877-371-1551.
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