Current Intramural Research Projects

Public health and epidemiology, including zoonotic infectious and parasitic diseases

“Outcome of doxycycline treatment of natural infections with Ehrlichia canis”

  • PI: Patrick Kelly, Belle Nibblett, Helene Lucas
  • Co-PI:Mary Anna Thrall, Dawn Seddon

Overview: Ehrlichia canis infections are common in dogs presenting to the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) Community Practice. There are a number of hypotheses as to why most dogs diagnosed with Ehrlichia canis infections continue to have clinical/laboratory and/or serological signs of infection after recommended doxycycline therapy. To test these we are conducting a longitudinal study on naturally infected dogs using quantitative real-time PCR and serology.

 

“The prevalence and diagnosis of Spirocerca lupi in the mongrel dogs of St. Kitts using radiography, fecal flotation and endoscopy”

  • PI: Melissa M Fisher
  • Co-PI: Joe Morgan, Patrick Kelly, Rosina Krecek

Overview: Early radiographic changes associated with Spirocerca lupi in the asymptomatic dog have not been fully described and early detection in conjunction with appropriate therapy can prevent the clinical spirocercosis and therefore possibly avoid malignant transformation. The objective of this study is to establish the prevalence of S. lupi in a random population of mongrel dogs in St. Kitts and to determine the diagnostic efficacy of radiography in the detection of spirocercosis, using fecal flotation and endoscopy for a definitive diagnosis.

 

“Population genetics of Amblyomma variegatum and its relationship to infections with Ehrlichia ruminantium, Rickettsia africae and spirochetes”

  • PI: Patrick Kelly
  • Co-PI: Lorenza Beati, Rosina Krecek, Helene Lucas, John Dame

Overview: Amblyomma variegatum occurs widely on domestic ruminants and large ungulates across Africa. The tick was introduced onto the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe on cattle imported from Senegal in the early 1800s. Shortly thereafter, it spread to Antigua and Marie Galante and remained confined to these islands until 1948 when it invaded Martinique. In the last 30 years, A. variegatum has spread very rapidly, extending its distribution to 19 of the Caribbean islands.

The project will provide important information on the prevalence and distribution of the tick-borne veterinary and human pathogens - Ehrlichia ruminantium, Rickettsia africae and relapsing fever spirochetes. It will also provide information on the genetic diversity of Amblyomma variegatum and whether there is a genetic basis for infection/lack of infection of A. variegatum with Ehrlichia ruminantium and/or Rickettsia africae and/or relapsing fever spirochetes.

 

“Collection of data on social attitudes of feral cats in Basseterre, their biological and their exposure to feline and zoonotic diseases”

  • PI: Patrick Kelly, Rosina Krecek

Overview: This study will enable an understanding of the dynamics of the feral cat population in Basseterre, possible population control and the role of feral cats in the epidemiology of important feline and human diseases. There is limited data on the attitudes of people to feral cats in St. Kitts. The prevalence of FeLV and FIV and zoonotic disease is also unknown. Elsewhere in the world this data has proved essential in deriving appropriate programs to control the numbers of feral cats and the diseases they transmit to one another and to people.

 

“An investigation into the nematode parasites of wild Chlorocebus sabaeus (African green monkey) and the geographical distribution of primate parasites in St. Kitts”

  • PI: Rosina Krecek
  • Co-PI: Bonnie Mitchell, Prather McNeal-Hutchison

Overview: African green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) were brought to the island of St. Kitts during the 18th century and are now considered an evolutionarily separate species from their African ancestors; however, very little data has been published on African green monkeys in their natural habitat. The goals of this pilot study are: 1) to determine the parasite load of wild African green monkeys 2) to determine whether a geographical pattern exists 3) to evaluate the potential zoonotic risks and 4) to determine whether Ivermectin© as the sole antihelmintic is sufficient in eliminating the harmful parasites.

 

“Comparison of suitable egg detection methods for Spirocerca lupi found infecting canids in the tropics”

  • PI: Rosina Krecek
  • Co-PI: Anna Diaz-Cruz, Barbara Jones, Linda Kitchen, Tiffany Caudill

Overview: Located in the tropics and world-wide, the nematode parasite Spirocerca lupi causes serious clinical disease in dogs. In most instances, by the time the parasite is detected, the animals are at a non-treatable condition, leading to their death. In addition, S. lupi has been found in chickens, lizards, domestic and large cats, cattle, donkey, and humans. Current methods of detection are not adequate. The objective of the current study is a comparison of available qualitative and quantitative parasite egg recovery methods to diagnose the parasite.

 

“Mosquito surveillance in St. Kitts and Nevis”

  • PI: Hamish Mohammed
  • Co-PI: Rosina Krecek

Overview: With increasing global travel and trade there is a greater risk of introduction of mosquitoes and the pathogens they transmit into non-endemic areas. With the imminent threat to animal and human health posed by arboviruses such as West Nile Virus (WNV) and Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVF), there is a need for mosquito surveillance to determine which vector species are present in Caribbean islands. In addition to direct effects on animal health, outbreaks of zoonoses such as WNV or RVF could very negatively impact the local tourism industry, the mainstay of the local economy. There is established evidence of the circulation of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in select islands of the Caribbean, and this mosquito is a potential vector of several zoonotic diseases, such as WNV, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and chikungunya (CHIK). The objectives of the project are to build in-country capacity to collect and identify mosquitoes present in St. Kitts and Nevis, and to develop appropriate monitoring and control measures.


Conservation medicine and environmental health

“Identification of a causative agent of reef fish mortalities in the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis”

  • PI: John Brake
  • Co-PI: Natalie Keirstead, Keith Lander

Overview: Reports of dead and dying fish in St. Kitts waters in January and February 2008 led to the forensic necropsy of many samples of various reef fishes. The primary goal of this research project was to determine the causative agent associated with these fish deaths. Work was done in association with a CDC lab in British Columbia, Canada, and fish pathologists at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The research team was able to isolate a zoonotic bacterium, Streptococcus iniae, which was associated with the mortality events. These results were announced in a joint government-RUSVM press conference on February 19, 2008 in which the cause of the recent fish kills and its potential influence on human health were discussed. Further research into the disease and causative agent will look to elucidate related environmental factors and the source of this bacterium in the wild.

“Using spatfall monitoring as a preliminary step in assessing bivalve species aquaculture potential in St. Kitts, West Indies”

  • PI: John Brake
  • Co-PI: Rosina Krecek, Samia Sarkis

Overview: Shellfish aquaculture in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis can increase employment, food security and diversity with a relatively low capital investment. This preliminary study will establish which commercially-important shellfish species are present and available to be collected from the wild for commercial culture. This research will help to establish aquatic animal culture for St. Kitts and a teaching model for the principles of aquaculture farm health management.

“Comparison of management protocols and the effect on fecal parasites in captive Red Footed Tortoises (Geochelone carbonaria) in St. Kitts”

  • PI: Rosina Krecek
  • Co-PI: Krista Keller, Kimberly Stewart

Overview: The aim of this project is to learn the parasite status of Red Footed Tortoise creeps in St. Kitts. Understanding the environmental and host factors that determine parasite load in this species will be accomplished by comparing different husbandry practices seen in three separate creeps on the island of St. Kitts. The objectives of the project are to:

Identify the common fecal parasites detected by fecal examination that are infecting the subjects (Captive Red Footed Tortoises in St. Kitts of the species Geochelone carbonaria)

Determine a correlation with host factors (ie, size, gender, breeding maturity, health status) or environmental factors (ie, substrate lived on, diet fed and husbandry techniques, ambient temperature, rainfall, humidity, or season) as compared to the eggs and cysts passed in the feces. Read More

“Evaluating the effect of sampling site on hematologic and plasma biochemistry data in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)”

  • PI: Kimberly Stewart
  • Co-PI: Mark Mitchell, Terry Norton

Overview: Blood collection sites for the leatherback sea turtle include the dorsal cervical sinus and interdigital vein, both of which are blind sticks, and pose a potential risk for lymph contamination. The purpose of this study is to determine if sample site affects hematological and plasma chemistry values, as this must be determined to assure validity of future results.

“Initial planning and strategy meetings for the development of a community-based sea turtle management, health assesment and conservation program in collaboration with the fishermen of St. Kitts and the St. Kitts Fisheries Department”

  • PI: Kimberly Stewart
  • Co-PI: Mark Mitchell, Rosina Krecek, Ralph Wilkins

Overview: Fishermen are one of the most valuable stakeholders in the sea turtle management process, and they must be integrated into the development of any sea turtle conservation program for the program to succeed. Future plans are to utilize the data they provide to estimate turtle population size and health, and to develop and incorporate them into a training program that focuses on using sea turtles as a non-consumable source of revenue through catch and release programs, research, ecotourism, and conservation activities while recognizing that a certain amount of sustainable harvest must be maintained for cultural purposes.

 

Clinical

“Propofol and alphaxalone induction in donkey: determination of the optimal induction dose”

  • PI: Thierry Beths
  • Co-PI: Kathy Yvorchuk

Overview: Knowledge regarding donkey anesthesia is very sparse. Often doses of induction agents are extrapolated from horses. Although propofol has been on the market since 1985, no study has specifically evaluated the induction dose in the donkey. Though a previous study compared injectable anesthetics in donkeys it used only one dose for propofol and this dose was extrapolated from horses (2 mg/kg). Alphaxolone (previously mixed with alphadolone and Cremophor EL and called Saffan or Althesin), a new induction/maintenance agent, has of yet not been evaluated in the donkey. The present blinded study uses Latin square randomized design for evaluation of the comparable efficacy of three (3) doses of propofol and alfaxolone in the donkey. In addition the study will evaluate the quality of induction of anesthesia and recovery at these selected dosages.

 

“Total intravenous anesthesia in cats: evaluation of alfaxan CD to induce and maintain anesthesia in feral cats undergoing neutering procedures”

  • PI: Thierry Beths
  • Co-PI: Gabrielle Musk, Gwenola Touzot-Jourde

Overview: In the last 15 years, Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) has become more popular than ever in both medical and veterinary anesthesia. This is due to the advantages TIVA brings such as lack of pollution, cardiovascular stability, etc. The development of infusion techniques and devices and a better understanding of the pharmacokinetics are a part of this success. Propofol is the only intravenous hypnotic available on the market suitable for total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in man and in dogs. Propofol is not considered suitable for intravenous infusion in cats. Alfaxan CD, a new IV hypnotic has shown very good results in dogs during prolonged infusion and is believed to be suitable for TIVA in cats.

“Reliability of digital thermometers: effects of technique and construction”

  • PI: Jonathan Naylor
  • Co-PI: Renee Streeter

Overview: Recently, digital thermometers have replaced mercury thermometers as the instrument of choice for obtaining a rectal temperature in large animals. This project will determine the reliability of these instruments and the effect of different techniques on the temperature reading.

“Feasibility of excretory urography and determination of renal clearance using a single dose of Iohexol”

  • PI: Richard Page
  • Co-PI: Frederic David

Overview: Iohexol has been used both for excretory urography (EU) and determination of renal clearance. Different doses have been recommended for the two procedures; 880 mg of iodine per kg for the EU and 300 mg of iodine per kilogram for the renal clearance. This project aims at determining if those two procedures could be performed at the same time in order to minimize animal stress, adverse reactions, risk and costs. Each of the two procedures is performed three times with a dose of 300, 600 and 880 mg iodine/kg in order to determine if the different doses give the same results for renal clearance and quality for the EU when compared to the previously recommended doses.

 

“A contrasting study of the physiological effects of morphine vs butorphanol CRI's in donkeys undergoing general anesthesia”

  • PI: Brad Simon
  • Co-PI: Thierry Beths

Overview: A contrasting study of the physiological effects of morphine vs butorphanol constant rate infusions in donkeys undergoing general anesthesia. Intra-anesthetic parameters of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems will be gathered and compared to help determine alternative methods of analgesia in the equine species.

 

Novel teaching methodologies

“A novel method for teaching veterinary parasitology”

  • PI: Mary Pereira and Rosina Krecek
  • Co-PI: Kathy Yvorchuk, Charles Wallace, Adriano Vatta

Overview: Reduction of teaching staff globally and increased sizes of classes of veterinary students highlights the need for more effective teaching methodologies. The Parasitology instruction team at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) proposed a novel teaching method. This method is designed to be interactive, creative and student centered (eg, “each one, teach one”). The objectives of this study are 1) to evaluate a novel teaching method, Iron Parasitology (IP), in veterinary parasitology 2) to compare retention of Parasitology knowledge of 2nd semester students with 7th semester students and 3) to compare didactic teaching (lecturer centered) with group teaching (student centered). 


Current Extramural Research Projects

“Effect modification of HIV-associated CNS diseases by parasitic zoonoses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa”

  • PI: Helene Carabin


Overview: Tapeworm infections afflict mostly humans living in developing countries. One tapeworm (Taenia solium), which is transmitted between humans and pigs can, in some cases, cause brain disorders and this condition is called neurocysticercosis. To study this disease, a two-year pilot grant was awarded from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Fogarty International Center in 2009 to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (NIH-FIC grant #1 R21 TW008434). The project is entitled:”Effect modification of HIV-associated CNS diseases by parasitic zoonoses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa." This international collaboration includes many organizations. The principal investigator is H Carabin at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC). Co-investigators are L Cowan (OUHSC), H Foyaca-Sibat, L de Fatima Ibanez-Valdes, I Targonska, MA Anwary, P Yogeswaran (Walter Sisulu University),  and S Korsman (Nelson Mandela Tertiary Laboratory). Consultants include: RC Krecek (Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine) [RUSVM]), P Wilkins (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and P Dorny (Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp). The study will examine the interaction between HIV-AIDS infection and parasitic diseases including neurocysticercosis and toxocariasis in HIV-AIDS patients.

For further information please contact Dr. Tammi Krecek at tkrecek@rossvet.edu.kn

Members of the research team visiting a hospital in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (Photo by Dr. Rosina Krecek).

 

“Assessment of the current distribution of Ehrlichia ruminantium, the agent of heartwater, in the Caribbean”

  • PI: Patrick Kelly

  • PI: John Dame

Overview: A collaborative research project on heartwater has been established with the University of Florida, University of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Amblyomma Program. A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant has recently been approved to fund this research. Ehrlichia ruminantium, the agent of heartwater in domestic ruminants, causes high mortality (up to 90%) and substantial economic losses. Recently, the vector of the disease, Amblyomma variegatum, has spread rapidly in the Caribbean causing substantial economic losses to the livestock industry. With the possibility that this agent could be introduced into the US, the organism is now defined as a "High Consequence Agent" by the USDA. If introduced to the US, significant mortalities would be expected in both domestic and wild ruminants. In 1994, it was estimated the US would sustain a loss of up to $762 million US dollars annually if the tick and associated diseases became established in North America.