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.
Health
Awareness Program: First Year Analysis