Research At Ross
Current On-Campus Research Projects (funded by RUSVM)
“An investigation into the nematode parasites of wild Chlorocebus sabaeus (African green monkey) and the geographical distribution of primate parasites on St Kitts” (Photo)
PI: Tammi 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”(Photo)
PI: Tammi 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 man. 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.
“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, Tammi 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 on 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 (Georgia Southern University), Tammi Krecek, Helene Lucas, John Dame (University of Florida)
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.
“Comparison of three premedications on the potential seizure activity in the dog undergoing myelography”
PI: Thierry Beths
Co-PI: Eric Troncy, Roger Warren, Melissa M Fisher
Overview: Seizure is a possible complication following myelography. Acetylpromazine (like other phenothiazines) is long believed to lower seizure threshold in dogs and is therefore contraindicated prior to myelography although no known published research supports this view. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of acetylpromazine on the seizure activity in the dog undergoing myelography and to compare the effects of three different premedication agents (acetylpromazine, medetomidine and diazepam) on dogs undergoing myelography.
“Collection of data on social attitudes of feral cats in Basseterre, their biological and their exposure to feline and zoonotic diseases” (Photo)
PI: Patrick Kelly, Tammi 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 on 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.
“Comparison of management protocols and the effect on fecal parasites in captive Red Footed Tortoises (Geochelone carbonaria) in St Kitts”
PI: Tammi Krecek
Co-PI: Krista Keller, Kimberly Stewart
Overview: The aim of this project is to learn the parasite status of Red Footed Tortoise creeps on 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:
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Identify the common fecal parasites detected by fecal examination that are infecting the subjects (Captive Red Footed Tortoises on St Kitts of the species Geochelone carbonaria)
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Determine a correlation with host factors (size, sex, breeding maturity, health status) or environmental factors (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.
“Hoof and bone morphology of the donkey (Equus asinus) digit: A comparative conformational analysis with a horse (Equus caballus)”
PI: Danny Liswaniso
Co-PI: Brian Lanier, Joe Morgan, Richard Page, Guy St Jean, Bernard Grevemeyer, Frederic David
Overview: There is no current information available on hoof and heel angles, location of the coffin joint axis, alignments of the phalanges, medial-lateral ‘balance’ from solar aspect, etc. and correlated soundness in donkeys. This project involves data collection using digital cameras, digital radiograph systems, gross dissection and computer measurement software (Metron equine hoof conformation software system). We relate these results to several more-or-less well-established horse data concerning the actual or ideal desired morphology of the hoof and distal limb. Comparing these morphological points of data with information available on horses will allow for future comparative research and better understanding of why donkeys are less prone to distal limb lameness and will serve as potential screening aid to the horse industry. The objectives of this study are: to measure the medial-lateral balance of the hoof from the solar aspect; measure the difference between the hoof and heel angles; to analyze the position of the center of articulation of the coffin-joint with regard to the support length of the foot; to analyze the alignment of the phalanges.
“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.
“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 and Conservation Program in Collaboration with the fishermen of St Kitts and the St Kitts Fisheries Department”
PI: Kimberly Stewart
Co-PI: Mark Mitchell, Tammi 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
“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 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: Tammi 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.
“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.
“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, cardio-vascular 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.
“Evaluation of two intra-operative analgesic protocols on inhalant requirement and quality of recovery in donkeys”
PI: Gwenola Touzot-Jourde
Co-PI: Thierry Beths
Overview: Often doses of analgesic and anesthetic agents in donkeys are extrapolated from horses. It has already been shown that donkeys are not small horses and that they are different in the way they react to those agents. The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare an alpha-2 agonist and an opioid based intra-operative analgesic protocols to a sevoflurane based anesthesia.
“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 infusion’s 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.
Current On-Campus Research Projects (extramurally funded)
“Assessment of the current distribution of Ehrlichia ruminantium, the agent of heartwater, in the Caribbean”
Ross PI: Pat Kelly
Grant 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.
“Global Burden of Disease: Alveolar Echinococcosis”
Ross PI: Paul Torgerson
Overview: Dr Paul Torgerson, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at RUSVM, is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group. He has been commissioned by the WHO to undertake a study on the global burden of alveolar echinococcosis (AE). AE is a serious zoonotic disease. It is caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis and humans are infected by the consumption of tapeworm eggs transmitted through, for example, foodstuffs contaminated with fox or dog feces.
For the project extensive database searches will be conducted through the Internet and an economic model constructed to estimate the global burden of AE.
The analysis will be completed by early November in order for the results to be presented at the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG www.who.int/foodborne_disease/burden/en/index.html) assembly in Geneva later that month.
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