@article{kim_lashnits_breitschwerdt_elam_grade_miller_shikhman_2024, title={Antibodies to <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> and <i>Bartonella</i> species in serum and synovial fluid from people with rheumatic diseases}, volume={3}, ISSN={["2165-0497"]}, DOI={10.1128/spectrum.01653-23}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, journal={MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM}, author={Kim, Lisa and Lashnits, Erin and Breitschwerdt, Edward B. and Elam, Amanda and Grade, Neenah and Miller, Jennifer and Shikhman, Alexander R.}, year={2024}, month={Mar} }
 @article{liedig_neupane_lashnits_breitschwerdt_maggi_2023, title={Blood Supplementation Enhances Bartonella henselae Growth and Molecular Detection of Bacterial DNA in Liquid Culture}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2165-0497"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.05126-22}, DOI={10.1128/spectrum.05126-22}, abstractNote={
            This study aims to improve diagnostic detection of
            Bartonella henselae
            . Patient samples are combined with enriched bacterial cultures aimed at growing
            Bartonella henselae
            for the best possible chance at detection. However, current
            Bartonella
            growth methods could be improved. The DNA extraction method used by most laboratories should also be optimized. Sheep blood was added to increase the growth of
            Bartonella henselae
            and multiple DNA extraction methods were to be compared to each other.
          }, journal={MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM}, author={Liedig, Chance and Neupane, Pradeep and Lashnits, Erin and Breitschwerdt, Edward B. and Maggi, Ricardo G.}, editor={Mostafa, Heba H.Editor}, year={2023}, month={May} }
 @article{gin_petzold_uthappa_neighbors_borough_gin_lashnits_sempowski_denny_bienzle_et al._2023, title={Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 identification methods through surveillance of companion animals in SARS-CoV-2-positive homes in North Carolina, March to December 2020}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2167-8359"]}, DOI={10.7717/peerj.16310}, abstractNote={We collected oral and/or rectal swabs and serum from dogs and cats living in homes with SARS-CoV-2-PCR-positive persons for SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serology testing. Pre-COVID-19 serum samples from dogs and cats were used as negative controls, and samples were tested in duplicate at different timepoints. Raw ELISA results scrutinized relative to known negative samples suggested that cut-offs for IgG seropositivity may require adjustment relative to previously proposed values, while proposed cut-offs for IgM require more extensive validation. A small number of pet dogs (2/43, 4.7%) and one cat (1/21, 4.8%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and 28.6 and 37.5% of cats and dogs were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, respectively.}, journal={PEERJ}, author={Gin, Taylor E. and Petzold, Elizabeth A. and Uthappa, Diya M. and Neighbors, Coralei E. and Borough, Anna R. and Gin, Craig and Lashnits, Erin and Sempowski, Gregory D. and Denny, Thomas and Bienzle, Dorothee and et al.}, year={2023}, month={Oct} }
 @article{moore_lashnits_neupane_herrin_lappin_andre_breitschwerdt_2023, title={Feeding on a Bartonella henselae Infected Host Triggers Temporary Changes in the Ctenocephalides felis Microbiome}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2076-0817"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12030366}, DOI={10.3390/pathogens12030366}, abstractNote={The effect of Bartonella henselae on the microbiome of its vector, Ctenocephalides felis (the cat flea) is largely unknown, as the majority of C. felis microbiome studies have utilized wild-caught pooled fleas. We surveyed the microbiome of laboratory-origin C. felis fed on B. henselae-infected cats for 24 h or 9 days to identify changes to microbiome diversity and microbe prevalence compared to unfed fleas, and fleas fed on uninfected cats. Utilizing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina platform, we documented an increase in microbial diversity in C. felis fed on Bartonella-infected cats for 24 h. These changes returned to baseline (unfed fleas or fleas fed on uninfected cats) after 9 days on the host. Increased diversity in the C. felis microbiome when fed on B. henselae-infected cats may be related to the mammalian, flea, or endosymbiont response. Poor B. henselae acquisition was documented with only one of four infected flea pools having B. henselae detected by NGS. We hypothesize this is due to the use of adult fleas, flea genetic variation, or lack of co-feeding with B. henselae-infected fleas. Future studies are necessary to fully characterize the effect of endosymbionts and C. felis diversity on B. henselae acquisition.}, number={3}, journal={PATHOGENS}, author={Moore, Charlotte and Lashnits, Erin and Neupane, Pradeep and Herrin, Brian H. H. and Lappin, Michael and Andre, Marcos Rogerio and Breitschwerdt, Edward B. B.}, year={2023}, month={Mar} }
 @article{neupane_maggi_basnet_lashnits_andrews_breitschwerdt_2022, title={Bartonella henselae Recombinant Pap31 for the Diagnosis of Canine and Human Bartonelloses}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2076-0817"]}, url={https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/2/182}, DOI={10.3390/pathogens11020182}, abstractNote={Bartonella spp. comprise a genus of Gram-negative alphaproteobacteria that are slow growing, fastidious, and facultative intracellular pathogens with zoonotic potential. Immunofluorescent antibody assays (IFAs), Western blot (WB), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), the frequently used modalities for the serological diagnosis of canine and human Bartonelloses, generate numerous false negative results. Therefore, the development of a reliable serodiagnostic assay for Bartonelloses is of clinical and epidemiological importance. Pap31, a heme binding surface protein of B. henselae, is associated with bacterial adhesion and related to bacterial colonization. To our knowledge, B. henselae Pap31 and its fragments (N-terminal (NTD), middle (MD), and C-terminal (CTD) domains) have not been investigated for the serodiagnosis of canine and human Bartonelloses. In this study, we evaluate the diagnostic utility of B. henselae recombinant whole Pap31 (rPap31) and Pap31 fragments by ELISA using sera from 70 dogs (36 Bartonella spp. IFA-positive (naturally infected), and 34 Bartonella spp. IFA- and PCR-negative (control dogs)) and 36 humans (18 Bartonella spp. IFA-positive (naturally infected) and 18 controls)). In the dogs, the area under the curve (AUC) score of recombinant whole Pap31 was 0.714 with a sensitivity of 42% and specificity of 94% at an OD cutoff value of 0.8955. Among the evaluated recombinant Pap31 proteins for the diagnosis of canine Bartonelloses, rPap31-NTD yielded the highest AUC score of 0.792 (95% CI 0.688–0.895) with a sensitivity of 44% and specificity of 100% at a cutoff value of 1.198. In concordance with this finding, rPap31-NTD also had the highest AUC score of 0.747 (95% CI 0.581–0.913) among the Pap31 recombinant proteins for the diagnosis of human Bartonelloses, with 39% sensitivity and 94% specificity at a cutoff value of 1.366. Recombinant whole Pap31 (rPap31) resulted in 72% sensitivity and 61% specificity at a cutoff value of 0.215 for human Bartonelloses. Due to either low sensitivity or questionable specificity, our findings indicate that recombinant Pap31 and the selected fragments may not be appropriate diagnostic targets in detecting anti-Bartonella antibodies in Bartonella-infected dogs and humans. The findings from this study can be used to further assess the antigenicity and immunogenicity of B. henselae Pap31 as a diagnostic target.}, number={2}, journal={PATHOGENS}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Neupane, Pradeep and Maggi, Ricardo G. and Basnet, Manoj and Lashnits, Erin and Andrews, Gerard P. and Breitschwerdt, Edward B.}, year={2022}, month={Feb} }
 @article{manvell_berman_callahan_breitschwerdt_swain_ferris_maggi_lashnits_2022, title={Identification of microbial taxa present in Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) reveals widespread co-infection and associations with vector phylogeny}, volume={15}, ISSN={["1756-3305"]}, DOI={10.1186/s13071-022-05487-1}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={1}, journal={PARASITES & VECTORS}, author={Manvell, Charlotte and Berman, Hanna and Callahan, Benjamin and Breitschwerdt, Edward and Swain, William and Ferris, Kelli and Maggi, Ricardo and Lashnits, Erin}, year={2022}, month={Oct} }
 @article{barash_lashnits_kern_tolbert_lunn_2022, title={Outcomes of esophageal and gastric bone foreign bodies in dogs}, volume={2}, ISSN={["1939-1676"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16383}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.16383}, abstractNote={Abstract}, journal={JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE}, author={Barash, Nanelle R. and Lashnits, Erin and Kern, Zachary T. and Tolbert, Mary Katherine and Lunn, Katharine F.}, year={2022}, month={Feb} }
 @article{lashnits_thatcher_carruth_mestek_buch_beall_neupane_chandrashekar_breitschwerdt_2021, title={Bartonella spp. seroepidemiology and associations with clinicopathologic findings in dogs in the United States}, volume={36}, ISSN={["1939-1676"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16311}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.16311}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Lashnits, Erin and Thatcher, Brendon and Carruth, Ariel and Mestek, Anton and Buch, Jesse and Beall, Melissa and Neupane, Pradeep and Chandrashekar, Ramaswamy and Breitschwerdt, Edward B.}, year={2021}, month={Nov} }
 @article{lashnits_neupane_bradley_richardson_maggi_breitschwerdt_2021, title={Comparison of Serological and Molecular Assays for Bartonella Species in Dogs with Hemangiosarcoma}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2076-0817"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10070794}, DOI={10.3390/pathogens10070794}, abstractNote={Currently, a gold standard diagnostic test for Bartonella infection in dogs is lacking. This represents a critical limitation for the development and evaluation of new diagnostic tests, as well as for the diagnosis of, and research on, bartonellosis in dogs. This retrospective observational study aims to compare the results of commonly performed and newly-reported Bartonella spp. diagnostic tests in banked clinical specimens from 90 dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) using composite reference standard (CRS) and random effects latent class analysis (RE-LCA) techniques. Samples from each dog were tested using six serological or molecular diagnostic assays, including indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) and Western blot (WB) for the detection of antibodies in serum, and qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in blood and fresh frozen tissue biopsy samples (mainly splenic HSA tumors and histopathologically normal spleen or skin/adipose tissue). Bartonella infection prevalence was estimated to be 78% based on the CRS (parallel testing with all six assays), and 64% based on the RE-LCA model. The assay with the highest diagnostic accuracy was qPCR performed on fresh frozen tissue biopsy samples (sensitivity: 94% by RE-LCA and 80% by CRS; specificity: 100%). When comparing newly-reported to traditional Bartonella diagnostic assays, ddPCR was more sensitive for the detection of Bartonella DNA than qPCR when testing blood samples (36% vs. 0%, p < 0.0001). Dogs that were positive on serological assays alone with negative molecular assays were highly unlikely (<3%) to be classified as infected by the RE-LCA model. These data indicate that Bartonella spp. DNA can be PCR amplified from fresh frozen tissues from a majority of dogs with HSA using both qPCR and ddPCR, supporting the use of these methods for future controlled studies comparing the prevalence of Bartonella spp. DNA in the tissue of dogs with HSA to that of unaffected controls.}, number={7}, journal={PATHOGENS}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Lashnits, Erin and Neupane, Pradeep and Bradley, Julie M. and Richardson, Toni and Maggi, Ricardo G. and Breitschwerdt, Edward B.}, year={2021}, month={Jul} }
 @article{gin_lashnits_wilson_breitschwerdt_qurollo_2021, title={Demographics and travel history of imported and autochthonous cases of leishmaniosis in dogs in the United States and Canada, 2006 to 2019}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1939-1676"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16071}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.16071}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Gin, Taylor Estes and Lashnits, Erin and Wilson, James M. and Breitschwerdt, Edward B. and Qurollo, Barbara}, year={2021}, month={Mar}, pages={954–964} }
 @article{manvell_ferris_maggi_breitschwerdt_lashnits_2021, title={Prevalence of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Reproductive and Non-Reproductive Tissue Samples from Free-Roaming Domestic Cats in the South Atlantic USA}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2076-0817"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10091221}, DOI={10.3390/pathogens10091221}, abstractNote={Reservoir to multiple species of zoonotic pathogens, free-roaming cats (FRCs) interact with domestic and wild animals, vectors, and humans. To assess the potential for feline vector-borne pathogens to be vertically transmitted, this study surveyed ear tip and reproductive tissues of FRCs from two locations in the South Atlantic United States for Anaplasma, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia species. We collected ovary (n = 72), uterus (n = 54), testicle (n = 74), and ear tip (n = 73) tissue from 73 cats, and fetal (n = 20) and placental (n = 19) tissue from 11 queens. Pathogen DNA was amplified utilizing qPCR, confirmed by sequencing. Cats were more frequently Bartonella henselae positive on reproductive tissues (19%, 14/73) than ear tip (5%, 4/73; p = 0.02). B. henselae was amplified from fetus (20%, 4/20) and placenta samples (11%, 2/19). Bartonella spp. infection was more common in cats from North Carolina (76%, 26/34) than Virginia (13%, 5/39; p < 0.0001). Fourteen percent (10/73) of both ear tip and reproductive tissues were positive for hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia spp. DNA was not amplified from any cat/tissue. These findings suggest that B. henselae preferentially infected cats’ reproductive tissue and reinforces the importance of investigating the potential for B. henselae vertical transmission or induction of reproductive failure.}, number={9}, journal={PATHOGENS}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Manvell, Charlotte and Ferris, Kelli and Maggi, Ricardo and Breitschwerdt, Edward B. and Lashnits, Erin}, year={2021}, month={Sep} }
 @article{lashnits_maggi_jarskog_bradley_breitschwerdt_frohlich_2021, title={Schizophrenia and Bartonella spp. Infection: A Pilot Case-Control Study}, volume={21}, ISSN={["1557-7759"]}, DOI={10.1089/vbz.2020.2729}, abstractNote={Recently, infections with emerging zoonotic bacteria of the genus Bartonella have been reported in association with a range of central nervous system (CNS) symptoms. Currently, it remains unknown if Bartonella spp. infection is associated with symptoms of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (SCZ/SAD). The objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between Bartonella species infection and SCZ/SAD. A secondary objective was to determine if SCZ/SAD symptoms were more severe among participants with documented Bartonella spp. infection. Using a case-control study design, 17 cases and 13 controls were evaluated with a series of clinical and cognitive assessments. Blood samples were collected and tested for Bartonella spp. infection using serological, microbiological, and molecular techniques. People with SCZ/SAD were more likely than healthy volunteers to have Bartonella spp. DNA in their bloodstream, with 11 of 17 cases (65%) positive by Bartonella spp. droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). In comparison, only one healthy volunteer was Bartonella spp. ddPCR positive (8%, p = 0.0024). Based on serology, Bartonella spp. exposure was common among people with SCZ/SAD (12 of 17) as well as among healthy volunteers (12 of 13), with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.196). Within the case group of people with SCZ/SAD, there was no significant difference in SCZ/SAD severity scores between people with and without ddPCR evidence of Bartonella spp. infection. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence in support of future investigations that should examine a potential contribution of Bartonella spp. infection to SCZ/SAD.}, number={6}, journal={VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES}, author={Lashnits, Erin and Maggi, Ricardo and Jarskog, Fredrik and Bradley, Julie and Breitschwerdt, Edward and Frohlich, Flavio}, year={2021}, month={Jun}, pages={413–421} }
 @article{purswell_lashnits_breitschwerdt_vaden_2020, title={A retrospective study of vector‐borne disease prevalence in dogs with proteinuria: Southeastern United States}, volume={1}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15610}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.15610}, abstractNote={Abstract}, journal={Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Purswell, Emily K. and Lashnits, Erin W. and Breitschwerdt, Edward B. and Vaden, Shelly L.}, year={2020}, month={Mar} }
 @article{breitschwerdt_bradley_maggi_lashnits_reicherter_2020, title={Bartonella Associated Cutaneous Lesions (BACL) in People with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms}, volume={9}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9121023}, DOI={10.3390/pathogens9121023}, abstractNote={Bartonella species are globally important emerging pathogens that were not known to infect animals or humans in North America prior to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Ongoing improvements in diagnostic testing modalities have allowed for the discovery of Bartonella species (spp.) DNA in blood; cerebrospinal fluid; and the skin of patients with cutaneous lesions, fatigue, myalgia, and neurological symptoms. We describe Bartonella spp. test results for participants reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms, the majority of whom reported the concurrent development of cutaneous lesions. Study participants completed a medical history, a risk factor questionnaire, and provided cutaneous lesion photographs. Bartonella spp. serology and Bartonella alpha proteobacteria enrichment blood culture/PCR were assessed. Within a 14-month period, 33 participants enrolled; 29/33 had serological and/or PCR evidence supporting Bartonella spp. infection, of whom 24 reported concurrent cutaneous lesions since neuropsychiatric symptom onset. We conclude that cutaneous lesions were common among people reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms and Bartonella spp. infection or exposure. Additional studies, using sensitive microbiological and imaging techniques, are needed to determine if, or to what extent, Bartonella spp. might contribute to cutaneous lesions and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients.}, number={12}, journal={Pathogens}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Breitschwerdt, Edward B. and Bradley, Julie M. and Maggi, Ricardo G. and Lashnits, Erin and Reicherter, Paul}, year={2020}, month={Dec}, pages={1023} }
 @article{lashnits_neupane_maggi_linder_bradley_balakrishnan_southern_mckeon_chandrashekar_breitschwerdt_2020, title={Detection of Bartonella spp. in dogs after infection with Rickettsia rickettsii}, volume={34}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15675}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.15675}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={1}, journal={Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Lashnits, Erin and Neupane, Pradeep and Maggi, Ricardo G. and Linder, Keith E. and Bradley, Julie M. and Balakrishnan, Nandhakumar and Southern, Brittany L. and McKeon, Gabriel P. and Chandrashekar, Ramaswamy and Breitschwerdt, Edward B.}, year={2020}, month={Jan}, pages={145–159} }
 @article{lashnits_neupane_bradley_richardson_thomas_linder_breen_maggi_breitschwerdt_2020, title={Molecular prevalence of Bartonella, Babesia, and hemotropic Mycoplasma species in dogs with hemangiosarcoma from across the United States}, url={https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227234}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0227234}, abstractNote={Hemangiosarcoma (HSA), a locally invasive and highly metastatic endothelial cell neoplasm, accounts for two-thirds of all cardiac and splenic neoplasms in dogs. Bartonella spp. infection has been reported in association with neoplastic and non-neoplastic vasoproliferative lesions in animals and humans. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in conjunction with two other hemotropic pathogens, Babesia spp. and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp., in tissues and blood samples from 110 dogs with histopathologically diagnosed HSA from throughout the United States. This was a retrospective, observational study using clinical specimens from 110 dogs with HSA banked by the biospecimen repository of the Canine Comparative Oncology and Genomics Consortium. Samples provided for this study from each dog included: fresh frozen HSA tumor tissue (available from n = 100 of the 110 dogs), fresh frozen non-tumor tissue (n = 104), and whole blood and serum samples (n = 108 and 107 respectively). Blood and tissues were tested by qPCR for Bartonella, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Babesia spp. DNA; serum was tested for Bartonella spp. antibodies. Bartonella spp. DNA was amplified and sequenced from 73% of dogs with HSA (80/110). In contrast, hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. DNA was amplified from a significantly smaller proportion (5%, p<0.0001) and Babesia spp. DNA was not amplified from any dog. Of the 100 HSA tumor samples submitted, 34% were Bartonella PCR positive (32% of splenic tumors, 57% of cardiac tumors, and 17% of other tumor locations). Of 104 non-tumor tissues, 63% were Bartonella PCR positive (56% of spleen samples, 93% of cardiac samples, and 63% of skin/subcutaneous samples). Of dogs with Bartonella positive HSA tumor, 76% were also positive in non-tumor tissue. Bartonella spp. DNA was not PCR amplified from whole blood. This study documented a high prevalence of Bartonella spp. DNA in dogs with HSA from geographically diverse regions of the United States. While 73% of all tissue samples from these dogs were PCR positive for Bartonella DNA, none of the blood samples were, indicating that whole blood samples do not reflect tissue presence of this pathogen. Future studies are needed to further investigate the role of Bartonella spp. in the development of HSA.}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Lashnits, Erin and Neupane, Pradeep and Bradley, Julie M. and Richardson, Toni and Thomas, Rachael and Linder, Keith E. and Breen, Matthew and Maggi, Ricardo G. and Breitschwerdt, Edward B.}, editor={Thamm, Douglas H.Editor}, year={2020}, month={Jan} }
 @article{easley_holowaychuk_lashnits_nordone_marr_birkenheuer_2020, title={Serum procalcitonin concentrations in dogs with induced endotoxemia}, volume={1}, url={https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15711}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.15711}, abstractNote={Abstract}, journal={Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Easley, Frankie and Holowaychuk, Marie K. and Lashnits, Erin W. and Nordone, Shila K. and Marr, Henry and Birkenheuer, Adam J.}, year={2020}, month={Mar} }
 @article{lashnits_dawson_breitschwerdt_lanzas_2019, title={Ecological and Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Bartonella henselae Exposure in Dogs Tested for Vector-Borne Diseases in North Carolina}, volume={19}, ISSN={1530-3667 1557-7759}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2018.2397}, DOI={10.1089/vbz.2018.2397}, abstractNote={Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic vector-borne pathogen affecting both humans and dogs. Little is known about the epidemiology of B. henselae in dogs, including risk factors associated with exposure. The objectives of this study were to map the current distribution of B. henselae in dogs in North Carolina (NC) and to identify ecological and socioeconomic factors influencing B. henselae seroreactivity. Results from 4446 B. henselae serology samples from dogs in NC submitted by veterinarians for clinical diagnostic testing to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. These results were used to generate a map of B. henselae seroreactivity. To account for sparsely sampled areas, statistical smoothing using head banging and areal interpolation kriging was performed. Using previously described risk factors for exposure to canine tick-borne diseases, eight multivariable logistic regression models based on biologically plausible hypotheses were tested, and a final model was selected using an Akaike's Information Criterion weighted-average approach. Seroreactivity among dogs tested for vector-borne disease was variable across the state: higher along the southern/eastern coastal plains and eastern Piedmont, and lower in the western mountains. Of 25 explanatory factors considered, the model combining demographic, socioeconomic, climatic, and land use variables fits best. Based on this model, female intact sex and increasing percentage of the county with low-intensity development and evergreen forest were associated with higher seroreactivity. Conversely, moderate development, increasing median household income, and higher temperature range and relative humidity were associated with lower seroreactivity. This model could be improved, however, by including local and host-scale factors that may play a significant role in dogs' exposure.}, number={8}, journal={Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases}, publisher={Mary Ann Liebert Inc}, author={Lashnits, Erin W. and Dawson, Daniel E. and Breitschwerdt, Edward and Lanzas, Cristina}, year={2019}, month={Aug}, pages={582–595} }
 @article{lashnits_grant_thomas_qurollo_breitschwerdt_2019, title={Evidence for vertical transmission of Mycoplasma haemocanis, but not Ehrlichia ewingii, in a dog}, volume={33}, ISSN={0891-6640 1939-1676}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15517}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.15517}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={4}, journal={Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Lashnits, Erin and Grant, Sandra and Thomas, Brittany and Qurollo, Barbara and Breitschwerdt, Edward B.}, year={2019}, month={May}, pages={1747–1752} }
 @article{lashnits_correa_hegarty_birkenheuer_breitschwerdt_2017, title={Bartonella
 Seroepidemiology in Dogs from North America, 2008-2014}, volume={32}, ISSN={0891-6640}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14890}, DOI={10.1111/jvim.14890}, abstractNote={BackgroundImproved understanding of Bartonella species seroepidemiology in dogs may aid clinical decision making and enhance current understanding of naturally occurring arthropod vector transmission of this pathogen.}, number={1}, journal={Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Lashnits, E. and Correa, M. and Hegarty, B.C. and Birkenheuer, A. and Breitschwerdt, E.B.}, year={2017}, month={Dec}, pages={222–231} }
 @article{laprais_bizikova_lashnits_tucker_linder_2017, title={Scleromyxoedema in a dog}, volume={28}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85018903969&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1111/vde.12447}, abstractNote={BackgroundIn humans, scleromyxoedema is a chronic progressive skin condition traditionally characterized by deposits of mucin, increased number of fibroblasts and fibrosis in the skin, and by systemic disease. Thyroid disease is typically absent. A monoclonal gammopathy is usually present, as are other comorbidities. Descriptions of scleromyxoedema in the veterinary literature are limited to a single feline case. One dog, previously reported as having papular mucinosis, exhibited features that matched the more current diagnostic criteria of scleromyxoedema.}, number={5}, journal={Veterinary Dermatology}, author={Laprais, A.F. and Bizikova, P. and Lashnits, E.W. and Tucker, A. and Linder, K.E.}, year={2017}, pages={119–503} }
 @article{fuxe_tabruyn_colton_zaid_adams_baluk_lashnits_morisada_le_o’brien_et al._2011, title={Pericyte requirement for anti-leak action of angiopoietin-1 and vascular remodeling in sustained inflammation}, volume={178}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-79959376030&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.02.008}, abstractNote={Blood vessel leakiness is an early, transient event in acute inflammation but can also persist as vessels undergo remodeling in sustained inflammation. Angiopoietin/Tie2 signaling can reduce the leakiness through changes in endothelial cells. The role of pericytes in this action has been unknown. We used the selective PDGF-B-blocking oligonucleotide aptamer AX102 to determine whether disruption of pericyte-endothelial crosstalk alters vascular leakiness or remodeling in the airways of mice under four different conditions: i) baseline, ii) acute inflammation induced by bradykinin, iii) sustained inflammation after 7-day infection by the respiratory pathogen Mycoplasma pulmonis, or iv) leakage after bradykinin challenge in the presence of vascular stabilization by the angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) mimic COMP-Ang1 for 7 days. AX102 reduced pericyte coverage but did not alter the leakage of microspheres from tracheal blood vessels at baseline or after bradykinin; however, AX102 exaggerated leakage at 7 days after M. pulmonis infection and increased vascular remodeling and disease severity at 14 days. AX102 also abolished the antileakage effect of COMP-Ang1 at 7 days. Together, these findings show that pericyte contributions to endothelial stability have greater dependence on PDGF-B during the development of sustained inflammation, when pericyte dynamics accompany vascular remodeling, than under baseline conditions or in acute inflammation. The findings also show that the antileakage action of Ang1 requires PDGF-dependent actions of pericytes in maintaining endothelial stability.}, number={6}, journal={American Journal of Pathology}, author={Fuxe, J. and Tabruyn, S. and Colton, K. and Zaid, H. and Adams, A. and Baluk, P. and Lashnits, E. and Morisada, T. and Le, T. and O’Brien, S. and et al.}, year={2011}, pages={2897–2909} }
 @article{fuxe_lashnits_o’brien_baluk_tabruyn_kuhnert_kuo_thurston_mcdonald_2010, title={Angiopoietin/Tie2 signaling transforms capillaries into venules primed for leukocyte trafficking in airway inflammation}, volume={176}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-77950585147&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.2353/ajpath.2010.090976}, abstractNote={Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic factor in tumors, but less is known about what drives vascular remodeling in inflammation, where plasma leakage and leukocyte influx are prominent features. In chronic airway inflammation in mice infected by the bacterium Mycoplasma pulmonis (M. pulmonis), the segment of the microvasculature that supports leukocyte adhesion and migration expands through remodeling of capillaries into vessels with features of venules. Here, we report that the angiopoietin/Tie2 pathway is an essential driving force for capillary remodeling into venules in M. pulmonis-infected mouse airways. Similar to M. pulmonis infection, systemic overexpression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) resulted in remodeling of airway capillaries into venular-like vessels that expressed venous markers like P-selectin, ICAM-1, and EphB4 and were sites of leukocyte adhesion during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute inflammation. Ang1 and Ang2 protein increased in M. pulmonis-infected mouse airways but came from different cellular sources: Ang1 was expressed in infiltrating neutrophils and Ang2 in endothelial cells. Indeed, systemic administration of soluble Tie2 inhibited capillary remodeling, induction of venous markers, and leukocyte influx in M. pulmonis-infected mouse airways. Together, these findings suggest that blockade of the Ang/Tie2 pathway may represent a therapeutic approach in airway inflammation.}, number={4}, journal={American Journal of Pathology}, author={Fuxe, J. and Lashnits, E. and O’Brien, S. and Baluk, P. and Tabruyn, S.P. and Kuhnert, F. and Kuo, C. and Thurston, G. and McDonald, D.M.}, year={2010}, pages={2009–2018} }
 @article{ni_lashnits_yao_baluk_mcdonald_2010, title={Rapid remodeling of airway vascular architecture at birth}, volume={239}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-77956293139&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1002/dvdy.22379}, abstractNote={Abstract}, number={9}, journal={Developmental Dynamics}, author={Ni, A. and Lashnits, E. and Yao, L.-C. and Baluk, P. and McDonald, D.M.}, year={2010}, pages={2354–2366} }
 @article{baluk_fuxe_hashizume_romano_lashnits_butz_vestweber_corada_molendini_dejana_et al._2007, title={Functionally specialized junctions between endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels}, volume={204}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-34948814992&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1084/jem.20062596}, abstractNote={Recirculation of fluid and cells through lymphatic vessels plays a key role in normal tissue homeostasis, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Despite recent advances in understanding lymphatic function (Alitalo, K., T. Tammela, and T.V. Petrova. 2005. Nature. 438:946–953), the cellular features responsible for entry of fluid and cells into lymphatics are incompletely understood. We report the presence of novel junctions between endothelial cells of initial lymphatics at likely sites of fluid entry. Overlapping flaps at borders of oak leaf–shaped endothelial cells of initial lymphatics lacked junctions at the tip but were anchored on the sides by discontinuous button-like junctions (buttons) that differed from conventional, continuous, zipper-like junctions (zippers) in collecting lymphatics and blood vessels. However, both buttons and zippers were composed of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) and tight junction–associated proteins, including occludin, claudin-5, zonula occludens–1, junctional adhesion molecule–A, and endothelial cell–selective adhesion molecule. In C57BL/6 mice, VE-cadherin was required for maintenance of junctional integrity, but platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule–1 was not. Growing tips of lymphatic sprouts had zippers, not buttons, suggesting that buttons are specialized junctions rather than immature ones. Our findings suggest that fluid enters throughout initial lymphatics via openings between buttons, which open and close without disrupting junctional integrity, but most leukocytes enter the proximal half of initial lymphatics.}, number={10}, journal={Journal of Experimental Medicine}, author={Baluk, P. and Fuxe, J. and Hashizume, H. and Romano, T. and Lashnits, E. and Butz, S. and Vestweber, D. and Corada, M. and Molendini, C. and Dejana, E. and et al.}, year={2007}, pages={2349–2362} }