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tvpjournal.com | September/October 2015 | TOday'S VeTerinary PracTice ParaSiTOlOgy eXPerTiSe FrOM THe ncVP Peer reviewed 53 recognition of parasites where they likely have existed for some time. a number of presentations focused on newly recognized geographic distributions of parasites and vector-borne disease agents. Geographic Distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Florida Heather Stockdale-Walden, MS, PhD, University of Florida • The rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, can cause severe neurologic disease in a variety of aberrant hosts, including humans, dogs, horses, nonhuman primates, and other animals. • new distribution locales for this parasite have recently been reported, suggesting it is likely much more widespread in the southern United States than previously recognized. 6 • This presentation shared current data on the widespread distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in northern, central, and southern Florida as determined by sampling and testing rats, rat feces, and mollusk intermediate hosts throughout the state. Canine Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, Diroflaria immitis , Ehrlichia Species, and Anaplasma Species in Canada, 2013–2014 Brian Herrin, DVM, Oklahoma State University • canada is considered newly endemic for lyme borreliosis 7 and canine serology provides an excellent sentinel system to document the geographic spread of the maintenance cycle for this disease agent. • This presentation shared current data on the geographic distribution of the agent of lyme disease and other vector-borne infections in canada using recent data provided by veterinarians testing dogs in practice. • nationwide, 2.5% of dogs tested were positive for specific antibodies to B burgdorferi, the causative agent of lyme disease, with endemic foci of higher canine seroprevalence recognized in nova Scotia, eastern Ontario, new Brunswick, and Quebec. Prevalence of Canine Gastrointestinal Helminths in Southeast Municipal Dog Parks Molly Savadelis, Researcher, University of Georgia • as long suspected by veterinarians and parasitologists, parasitic infections are common in dog parks, and a significant number of fecal samples in dog parks contain nematode eggs. • Fecal samples were collected from dog parks in 3 different southeastern states; after diagnostic evaluation, the data demonstrated that 27% of collected fecal samples harbored nematode eggs. Hookworms were most common, followed by whipworms and ascarids. • dog park use has been previously implicated as a risk for infection with Giardia and Cryptosporidium in dogs, 8 and off-leash activity at dog parks was identified as a specific risk factor for infection. 9 PREVIOUSLY UNRECOGNIZED DIVERSITY OF TICKS IN NORTH AMERICA The major tick species present in north america have been known for some time, but recent research has revisited the identity of some of these ticks using molecular as well as morphologic tools. Two presentations on this research were shared. Diversity of the Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, in North America Livvy Jones, Veterinary Student (Class of 2017), Oklahoma State University • One of the most common ticks found on dogs in the U.S. may actually be comprised of a complex of morphologically similar, but genetically distinct, populations of ticks. 10 • not all subpopulations within this species complex are able to breed with other cohorts, supporting the concept that the group contains different, morphologically identical species. • according to the initial data presented, at least 2 lineages of brown dog ticks appear to be infesting dogs in north america. • The diversity seen in the ticks referred to as brown dog ticks may also affect the ticks' ability to transmit certain infections, including Ehrlichia canis , to dogs. 11 Genetic Diversity of Amblyomma Species in the Southern United States Amanda Blom, DVM, Oklahoma State University • in recent years, the gulf coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum (Figure 2, page 54), has expanded its range across the southern U.S. • at the same time, entomologists determined that some ticks, which morphologically appear to be A maculatum, are actually A triste, a species more commonly found in central and South america. 12