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1.
Sci Total Environ ; 691: 401-406, 2019 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31323585

ABSTRACT

Alternative sanitation options are needed for effective waste management in low-income countries where centralized, large-scale waste treatment is not easily achievable. A newly designed solar concentrator technology utilizes solar thermal energy to treat feces contained in drums. This pilot study assessed the efficacy of the new design to inactivate microbes in 13 treatment drums under field conditions in Kenya. Three-quarters of the drums contained <1000 E. coli/g of total solids following 6 h of solar thermal treatment and inactivation of thermotolerant C. perfringens spores ranged from <1.8 to >5.0 log10. Nearly all (94%) samples collected from treatment drums achieved thermophilic temperatures (>50 °C) during the treatment period, however this alone did not ensure samples met the WHO E. coli guideline; higher, sustained thermophilic temperatures tended to be more effective in reaching this guideline. The newly designed solar concentrator was capable of inactivating thermotolerant, environmentally-stable microorganisms as, or possibly more, efficiently than a previous design. Additional data are needed to better characterize how temperature, time, and other parameters affect the ability of the solar concentrator to inactivate microbes in feces.


Subject(s)
Toilet Facilities , Waste Disposal, Fluid/methods , Water Microbiology , Feces , Hot Temperature , Kenya , Pilot Projects , Poverty , Sanitation/methods , Sewage , Spores, Bacterial
2.
Transbound Emerg Dis ; 64(2): 528-537, 2017 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26245515

ABSTRACT

The United States imports a large volume of live wild and domestic animal species; these animals pose a demonstrated risk for introduction of zoonotic diseases. Rodents are imported for multiple purposes, including scientific research, zoo exhibits and the pet trade. Current U.S. public health regulatory restrictions specific to rodent importation pertain only to those of African origin. To understand the impacts of these regulations and the potential public health risks of international rodent trade to the United States, we evaluated live rodent import records during 1999-2013 by shipment volume and geographic origin, source (e.g. wild-caught versus captive- or commercially bred), intended purpose and rodent taxonomy. Live rodent imports increased from 2737 animals during 1999 to 173 761 animals during 2013. Increases in both the number and size of shipments contributed to this trend. The proportion of wild-captured imports declined from 75% during 1999 to <1% during 2013. Nearly all shipments during these years were imported for commercial purposes. Imports from Europe and other countries in North America experienced notable increases in volume. Gerbils and hamsters arriving from Europe and chinchillas, guinea pigs and hamsters arriving from other countries in North America were predominant taxa underlying this trend. After 2003, African-origin imports became sporadic events under the federal permit process. These patterns suggest development of large-scale captive rodent breeding markets abroad for commercial sale in the United States. While the shift from wild-captured imports alleviates many conservation concerns and risks for novel disease emergence, such consolidated sourcing might elevate exposure risks for zoonotic diseases associated with high-density rodent breeding (e.g. lymphocytic choriomeningitis or salmonellosis). A responsive border health system must periodically re-evaluate importation regulations in conjunction with key stakeholders to ensure a balance between the economic benefits of rodent trade against the potential public health risks.


Subject(s)
Commerce , Internationality , Public Health , Rodentia , Animals , Breeding , Pets , United States , Zoonoses
3.
Zoonoses Public Health ; 61(2): 97-104, 2014 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23678947

ABSTRACT

Bushmeat, defined as meat derived from wild animals, is a potential source of zoonotic pathogens. Bushmeat from restricted animals is illegal to import into the United States under US federal regulations. We reviewed US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) port of entry surveillance records from September 2005 through December 2010 and conducted focus group studies to describe trends in and reasons for bushmeat importation into the United States. In total, 543 confiscated bushmeat items were recorded. Half of the confiscated bushmeat items identified were rodents. Africa was the most frequent continent of origin. Seasonality was evident, with bushmeat confiscations peaking in late spring to early summer. Four times more bushmeat was confiscated during an enhanced surveillance period in June 2010 compared with the same period in previous years, suggesting that routine surveillance underestimated the amount of bushmeat detected at US Ports of Entry. Focus groups held in three major US cities revealed that bushmeat importation is a multifaceted issue. Longstanding cultural practices of hunting and eating bushmeat make it difficult for consumers to acknowledge potential health and ecologic risks. Also, US merchants selling African goods, including bushmeat, in their stores have caused confusion among importers as to whether importation is truly illegal. Enhancing routine surveillance for bushmeat and consistent enforcement of penalties at all ports of entry, along with health education aimed at bushmeat importers, might be useful to deter illegal importation.


Subject(s)
Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence , Food Contamination , Food Microbiology , Meat/microbiology , Africa, Western , Animals , Animals, Wild , Commerce/statistics & numerical data , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Meat/standards , Meat/supply & distribution , Public Health , Rodentia , Seasons , United States , Zoonoses/etiology , Zoonoses/prevention & control
4.
Zoonoses Public Health ; 61(5): 305-16, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23870674

ABSTRACT

Rabies prevention and control efforts have been successful in reducing or eliminating virus circulation regionally through vaccination of specific reservoir populations. A notable example of this success is the elimination of canine rabies virus variant from the United States and many other countries. However, increased international travel and trade can pose risks for rapid, long-distance movements of ill or infected persons or animals. Such travel and trade can result in human exposures to rabies virus during travel or transit and could contribute to the re-introduction of canine rabies variant or transmission of other viral variants among animal host populations. We present a review of travel- and trade-associated rabies events that highlight international public health obligations and collaborative opportunities for rabies prevention and control in an age of global travel. Rabies is a fatal disease that warrants proactive coordination among international public health and travel industry partners (such as travel agents, tour companies and airlines) to protect human lives and to prevent the movement of viral variants among host populations.


Subject(s)
Commerce , Global Health , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/prevention & control , Travel , Animals , Humans
5.
J Epidemiol Glob Health ; 3(4): 187-96, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24206790

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Respiratory-borne infectious diseases can spread rapidly at mass gatherings. The 2009 Hajj took place during the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. This study investigates factors associated with compliance with recommended influenza A (H1N1)-related health practices and behaviors among American pilgrims to the 2009 Hajj: receiving seasonal influenza vaccinations, receiving influenza A (H1N1) vaccinations, and behaviors intended to mitigate respiratory illness. METHODS: American residents from Minnesota and Michigan completed anonymous surveys prior to and following travel to the 2009 Hajj. Surveys assessed demographics; knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to influenza A (H1N1); seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations; health-seeking behaviors; sources of health information; and protective behaviors during the Hajj. RESULTS: Pre- and post-travel surveys were completed by 186 participants. Receiving seasonal influenza vaccination was reported by 138 (63%) respondents, and 80 (36%) reported receiving an influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. One hundred forty-four (79%) respondents reported engaging in protective behaviors during the Hajj to prevent illness. In multivariable models, greater perceived severity of influenza A (H1N1) before traveling was associated with: seasonal influenza vaccination (OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.14-2.62, p=.01), influenza A (H1N1) vaccination (OR=2.02, 95% CI=1.35-3.02, p=.001), and engaging in protective behaviors during the Hajj (OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.00-2.63, p=.003). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that accurate knowledge of influenza A (H1N1) symptoms, transmission, and prevention was associated with greater perceived severity of influenza A (H1N1); and perceived influenza A (H1N1) severity was associated with engaging in recommended protective health practices. Understanding the barriers to and facilitators of compliance with recommended behaviors can help guide the development of tailored outreach strategies to mitigate the impact and spread of respiratory disease.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Travel , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Influenza, Human/classification , Islam , Linear Models , Middle East , Severity of Illness Index , United States
7.
Lancet ; 374(9703): 1786-91, 2009 Nov 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19914707

ABSTRACT

Mass gatherings of people challenge public health capacities at host locations and the visitors' places of origin. Hajj--the yearly pilgrimage by Muslims to Saudi Arabia--is one of the largest, most culturally and geographically diverse mass gatherings in the world. With the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 and upcoming Hajj, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MoH) convened a preparedness consultation in June, 2009. Consultants from global public health agencies met in their official capacities with their Saudi Arabian counterparts. The MoH aimed to pool and share public health knowledge about mass gatherings, and review the country's preparedness plans, focusing on the prevention and control of pandemic influenza. This process resulted in several practical recommendations, many to be put into practice before the start of Hajj and the rest during Hajj. These preparedness plans should ensure the optimum provision of health services for pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, and minimum disease transmission on their return home. Review of the implementation of these recommendations and their effect will not only inform future mass gatherings in Saudi Arabia, but will also strengthen preparedness efforts in other settings.


Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control/organization & administration , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Islam , Travel , Health Plan Implementation/organization & administration , Humans , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/transmission , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Saudi Arabia
8.
Rev Sci Tech ; 28(2): 559-65, 2009 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20128464

ABSTRACT

A fundamental role of the veterinary profession is the protection of human health through wholesome food and control of diseases of animal origin, especially zoonoses. Therefore, training of veterinary students worldwide needs to face the new challenges posed by emerging infections, both from wildlife and domestic animals, as well as risks from bio/agroterrorism. New courses emphasising recognition, response, recovery and prevention must be developed to respond to natural or intentionally induced emerging diseases and zoonoses. Training programmes in applied epidemiology, zoonoses and foreign animal diseases are crucial for the development of a strong workforce to deal with microbial threats. Students should learn the reporting pathways for reportable diseases in their countries or states. Knowledge of the principles of ecology and ecosystems should be acquired during pre-veterinary studies. Elective classes on wildlife diseases, emphasising wildlife zoonotic diseases, should be offered during the veterinary curriculum, as well as a course on risk communication, since veterinarians are frequently in the position of having to convey complex information under adverse circumstances.


Subject(s)
Animal Welfare , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/veterinary , Education, Veterinary/organization & administration , Public Health , Veterinary Medicine/standards , Animals , Bioterrorism , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/epidemiology , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/transmission , Curriculum , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control , Disease Transmission, Infectious/veterinary , Epidemiology/education , Humans , Sentinel Surveillance/veterinary , Zoonoses
9.
Zoonoses Public Health ; 55(8-10): 421-6, 2008 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18833595

ABSTRACT

The importation of dogs into the United States poses a risk for the introduction of rabies and other zoonotic diseases. Federal regulations (42 CFR 71.51) currently require proof of valid rabies vaccination for imported dogs, but allow the importation of some unvaccinated dogs, including dogs less than 3 months of age, provided certain requirements for confinement are met until the dog is vaccinated. Although there are no accurate surveillance data on the number of dogs imported each year, it is estimated based on extrapolated data that over 287,000 dogs were imported into the United States during 2006. Of these, approximately 25% were either too young to be vaccinated or lacked proof of valid rabies vaccination. Import trends suggest that an increasing number of unvaccinated puppies are being imported into the United States, many through commercial resale or rescue operations. Since 2004, foreign canine rabies virus variants have been documented in at least two imported puppies. Federal regulations are currently being reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine if they can be updated to address current import trends and disease risks, such as requiring a health screen and valid rabies vaccinations for all dogs prior to entry.


Subject(s)
Commerce , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/transmission , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/transmission , Zoonoses , Age Factors , Animals , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. , Dogs , Female , Humans , Male , Quarantine , Rabies/veterinary , Rabies Vaccines/administration & dosage , Risk Factors , United States/epidemiology
10.
Rev Sci Tech ; 26(1): 203-15, 2007 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17633303

ABSTRACT

Emerging infectious diseases represent a grave threat to animal and human populations in terms of their impact on global health, agriculture and the economy. Vaccines developed for emerging infections in animals can protect animal health and prevent transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans. Examples in this paper illustrate how industry and public health can collaborate to develop a vaccine to prevent an emerging disease in horses (West Nile virus vaccine), how poultry vaccination can protect animals and prevent transmission to people (avian influenza vaccine), how regulatory changes can pave the way for vaccines that will control the carrier state in animals and thus prevent infection in humans (Bartonella henselae vaccine in cats) and how novel technologies could be applied to vaccinate wildlife reservoir species for rabies. Stemming from the realisation that zoonotic diseases are the predominant source of human emerging infectious diseases, it behoves academic, public health, and animal health agencies to consider creative constructive approaches to combat serious public health challenges. Vaccination of vector/reservoir species, when efficacious vaccines are available, offers significant advantages to combating zoonotic human disease.


Subject(s)
Animal Diseases/prevention & control , Animal Diseases/transmission , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/veterinary , Public Health , Vaccination/veterinary , Animals , Animals, Domestic , Animals, Wild , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control , Disease Reservoirs/veterinary , Humans , Zoonoses
11.
Clin Diagn Lab Immunol ; 11(5): 919-23, 2004 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15358653

ABSTRACT

An anti-Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (anti-AVA) standard human reference serum pool, AVR414, has been prepared, and the total and protective antigen (PA)-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) were quantified. AVR414 was prepared by plasmapheresis of healthy adults who had received a minimum of four subcutaneous injections of AVA. Mass values (in milligrams per milliliter) for total IgG and IgG subclasses 1 to 4 were determined by radial immunodiffusion. Anti-PA-specific IgG assignment (in micrograms per milliliter) was done by consensus of two complementary approaches: homologous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with affinity-purified anti-PA IgG as a calibrator and summation of mean PA-specific IgG subclass concentrations determined by IgG subclass-specific ELISA using the United States National Reference Preparation for Human Serum Proteins as a standard. The total IgG concentration assigned to AVR414 reference serum was 8.33 mg/ml. IgG subclass concentrations were the following: for IgG1, 4.48 mg/ml; for IgG2, 3.35 mg/ml; for IgG3, 0.37 mg/ml; and for IgG4, 0.30 mg/ml. The assigned mass value for total anti-PA-specific IgG was 141.2 microg/ml. Anti-PA-specific IgG subclass concentrations were the following: for IgG1, 79.6 microg/ml; for IgG2, 35.3 microg/ml; for IgG3, 3.2 microg/ml; and for IgG4, 25.3 microg/ml. Human reference serum pool AVR414 will have direct application in the standardization of anthrax serological assays, in reagent qualification, and as a standard for quantification of PA-specific IgG in humans who have been vaccinated with or otherwise exposed to Bacillus anthracis PA.


Subject(s)
Anthrax Vaccines/immunology , Antibody Formation , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Bacterial Toxins/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/standards , Humans , Immunodiffusion/standards , Immunoglobulin G/classification , Reference Standards
12.
Rev Sci Tech ; 23(2): 717-25, 2004 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15702731

ABSTRACT

As Veterinary Services and animal health organisations attempt to respond to a new era of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases, their ability and skill in forming new strategic partnerships will be paramount. While these new partnerships are likely to include many relationships outside traditional Veterinary Services and animal agriculture, none will become more important than the formation of new animal health and public health partnerships. Episodes of emerging zoonoses are being increasingly recognised around the world and the confluence of people, animals and animal products today is unprecedented. Concurrently, a wide array of complex factors are also converging that will not only ensure the continuous emergence of zoonoses, but are also likely to drive the further increase and expansion of these diseases. This article discusses the need for the creation of more effective and co-operative partnerships in the face of new microbial threats, the complexity of both the formation and expansion of zoonoses, and the collective abilities of both human and animal health services to respond to them. Lessons learned from recent zoonotic epidemics supportthe need for co-ordinated research, interdisciplinary centres, integrated surveillance systems, response systems and infrastructures, and workforce development strategies. While there are some excellent examples of collaborative animal and public health relationships, there is no question that more and stronger partnerships among national and international organisations, both academic and private, will be necessary to meet the future challenges of emerging zoonoses and to manage their profound implications.


Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/epidemiology , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control , Public Health , Veterinary Medicine , Animals , Humans , Interdisciplinary Communication , International Cooperation , Population Surveillance
13.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med ; 155(9): 1029-37, 2001 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11529805

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a home-based nurse intervention (INT), focusing on parenting education/skills and caregiver emotional support, reduces child behavioral problems and parenting stress in caregivers of in utero drug-exposed children. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial of a home-based INT. SETTINGS: Two urban hospital newborn nurseries; homes of infants (the term infant is used interchangeably in this study with the term child to denote those from birth to the age of 36 months); and a research clinic in Baltimore, Md. PARTICIPANTS: In utero drug-exposed children and their caregivers (N = 100) were examined when the child was between the ages of 2 and 3 years. Two groups were studied: standard care (SC) (n = 51) and INT (n = 49). INTERVENTION: A home nurse INT consisting of 16 home visits from birth to the age of 18 months to provide caregivers with emotional support and parenting education and to provide health monitoring for the infant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the Child Behavior Checklist and the Parenting Stress Index. RESULTS: Significantly more drug-exposed children in the SC group earned t scores indicative of significant emotional or behavioral problems than did children in the INT group on the Child Behavior Checklist Total (16 [31%] vs 7 [14%]; P =.04), Externalizing (19 [37%] vs 8 [16%]; P =.02), and Internalizing (14 [27%] vs. 6 [12%]; P =.05) scales and on the anxiety-depression subscale (16 [31%] vs. 5 [10%]; P =.009). There was a trend (P =.06) in more caregivers of children in the SC group reporting higher parenting distress than caregivers of children in the INT group. CONCLUSIONS: In utero drug-exposed children receiving a home-based nurse INT had significantly fewer behavioral problems than did in utero drug-exposed children receiving SC (P =.04). Furthermore, those caregivers receiving the home-based INT reported a trend toward lower total parenting distress compared with caregivers of children who received SC with no home visits.


Subject(s)
Child Behavior Disorders/chemically induced , Cocaine/adverse effects , Community Health Nursing , Mothers/education , Narcotics/adverse effects , Parenting , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects , Urban Population , Affective Symptoms/chemically induced , Affective Symptoms/nursing , Baltimore , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Child Behavior Disorders/nursing , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Personality Assessment , Pregnancy , Treatment Outcome
14.
N Engl J Med ; 344(21): 1572-9, 2001 May 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11372008

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infection with fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of salmonella is rare, as is nosocomial salmonella infection. We describe the first recognized outbreak of fluoroquinolone-resistant salmonella infections in the United States, which occurred in two nursing homes and one hospital in Oregon. METHODS: We interviewed medical staff and reviewed patients' charts and death certificates. In Nursing Home A we conducted a case-control study. Patients were defined as residents of the nursing home from whom fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Schwarzengrund was isolated between February 1996 and December 1998. Controls were residents with similar medical conditions whose cultures did not yield salmonella. We compared isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and sequence analysis. We reviewed pharmacy records to compare the use of fluoroquinolone among several nursing homes. RESULTS: Eleven patients with fluoroquinolone-resistant salmonellosis were identified at two nursing homes. The index patient had been hospitalized in the Philippines and had probably acquired the infection there. Transmission was probably direct (from patient to patient) or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Treatment with fluoroquinolones during the six months before a culture was obtained was associated with a significant risk of salmonella infection (4 of 5 patients had taken fluoroquinolones, as compared with 2 of 13 controls; odds ratio, 22.0; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.06 to 1177). The patients were not significantly more likely than the controls to have taken other antibiotics. More fluoroquinolones were used at Nursing Home A than at similar nursing homes in Oregon. The isolates from the outbreak had similar patterns on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and the same gyrA mutations. The isolates from the outbreak were also similar to the only previous isolate of fluoroquinolone-resistant salmonella in the United States, which came from a patient in New York who had been transferred from a hospital in the Philippines. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a prolonged nosocomial outbreak of infection with fluoroquinolone-resistant S. enterica serotype Schwarzengrund. More such outbreaks are likely in institutional settings, particularly those in which there is heavy use of antimicrobial agents.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Salmonella Infections/epidemiology , Salmonella enterica , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Case-Control Studies , Cross Infection/microbiology , Cross Infection/transmission , Disease Transmission, Infectious , Drug Resistance, Microbial , Drug Utilization/statistics & numerical data , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field , Female , Fluoroquinolones , Hospitals , Humans , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Nursing Homes , Oregon/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Salmonella Infections/microbiology , Salmonella Infections/transmission , Salmonella enterica/classification , Salmonella enterica/drug effects , Salmonella enterica/isolation & purification
15.
J Biol Chem ; 276(24): 21136-45, 2001 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11264283

ABSTRACT

In the present paper, we report on the properties of sphingolipid-enriched domains of rat cerebellar granule cells in culture at different stages of neuronal development. The major lipid components of these domains were glycerophospholipids and cholesterol. Glycerophospholipids were 45-75% and cholesterol 15-45% of total lipids of the domains. This corresponded to 5-17% of total cell glycerophospholipids and 15-45% of total cell cholesterol. Phosphatidylcholine, mainly dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, was 66-85% of all the glycerophospholipids associated with these domains. Consequently, the palmitoyl residue was significantly enriched in the domains. The surface occupied by these structures increased during development. 40-70% of cell sphingolipids segregated in sphingolipid-enriched membrane domains, with the maximum ganglioside density in fully differentiated neurons. A high content of ceramide was found in the domains of aging neurons. Then, the sphingolipid/glycerophospholipid molar ratio was more than doubled during the initial stage of development, whereas the cholesterol/glycerophospholipid molar ratio gradually decreased during in vitro differentiation. Phosphorylated phosphoinositides, which were scant in the domains of undifferentiated cells, dramatically increased during differentiation and aging in culture. Proteins were minor components of the domains (0.1-2.8% of all domain components). Phosphotyrosine-containing proteins were selectively recovered in the sphingolipid-enriched domain. Among these, Src family protein-tyrosine kinases, known to participate to the process of neuronal differentiation, were associated with the sphingolipid-enriched domains in a way specific for the type of kinase and for the developmental stage of the cell. Proteins belonging to other signaling pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase and its downstream target, Akt, were not associated with the domains.


Subject(s)
Cerebellum/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Sphingolipids/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Ceramides/metabolism , Cerebellum/cytology , Cholesterol/metabolism , Gangliosides/metabolism , Glycerides/metabolism , Kinetics , Membrane Lipids/metabolism , Methionine/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/isolation & purification , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Neurons/cytology , Phosphates/metabolism , Phosphorus Radioisotopes , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Sphingomyelins/metabolism , Sphingosine/metabolism , Sulfur Radioisotopes , Tritium
16.
JAMA ; 284(12): 1541-5, 2000 Sep 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11000648

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: In May and June 1998, reported Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections increased sharply in Texas. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that contributed to the increase in V parahaemolyticus infections. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional survey of persons reporting gastroenteritis after eating seafood in Texas; survey of environmental conditions in Galveston Bay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Traceback of oysters, water quality measures in harvest areas, presence of V parahaemolyticus in stool cultures; comparison of median values for environmental conditions before and during the outbreak compared with during the previous 5 years. RESULTS: Between May 31 and July 10, 1998, 416 persons in 13 states reported having gastroenteritis after eating oysters harvested from Galveston Bay. All 28 available stool specimens from affected persons yielded V parahaemolyticus serotype O3:K6 isolates. Oyster beds met current bacteriologic standards during harvest and fecal coliform counts in water samples were within acceptable limits. Median water temperature and salinity during May and June 1998 were 30.0 degrees C and 29.6 parts per thousand (ppt) compared with 28.9 degrees C and 15.6 ppt for the previous 5 years (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported outbreak of V parahaemolyticus serotype O3:K6 infection in the United States. The emergence of a virulent serotype and elevated seawater temperatures and salinity levels may have contributed to this large multistate outbreak of V parahaemolyticus. Bacteriologic monitoring at harvest sites did not prevent this outbreak, suggesting that current policy and regulations regarding the safety of raw oysters require reevaluation. Consumers and physicians should understand that raw or undercooked oysters can cause illness even if harvested from monitored beds. In patients who develop acute gastroenteritis within 4 days of consuming raw or undercooked oysters, a stool specimen should be tested for Vibrio species using specific media. JAMA. 2000;284:1541-1545.


Subject(s)
Gastroenteritis/epidemiology , Ostreidae/microbiology , Seafood/poisoning , Vibrio Infections/epidemiology , Vibrio/isolation & purification , Animals , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disease Outbreaks , Environment , Gastroenteritis/etiology , Gastroenteritis/microbiology , Humans , Serotyping , Texas/epidemiology , Vibrio/classification , Vibrio Infections/etiology , Vibrio Infections/microbiology
17.
J Clin Microbiol ; 38(6): 2267-70, 2000 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10834987

ABSTRACT

Non-cholera Vibrio infections are an important public health problem. Non-cholera Vibrio species usually cause sporadic infections, often in coastal states, and have also caused several recent nationwide outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the United States. We report a survey of laboratory stool culturing practices for Vibrio among randomly selected clinical laboratories in Gulf Coast states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas). Interviews conducted with the microbiology supervisors of 201 clinical laboratories found that 164 (82%) received stool specimens for culture. Of these, 102 (62%) of 164 processed stool specimens on site, and 20 (20%) of these 102 laboratories cultured all stool specimens for Vibrio, indicating that at least 34,463 (22%) of 152, 797 stool specimens were cultured for Vibrio. This survey suggests that despite an increased incidence of non-cholera Vibrio infections in Gulf Coast states, a low percentage of clinical laboratories routinely screen all stool specimens, and fewer than 25% of stool specimens collected are routinely screened for non-cholera Vibrio.


Subject(s)
Bacteriological Techniques/standards , Feces/microbiology , Population Surveillance/methods , Vibrio Infections/diagnosis , Alabama , Florida , Gastroenteritis/diagnosis , Gastroenteritis/epidemiology , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Laboratories/standards , Louisiana , Mississippi , Surveys and Questionnaires , Texas , Vibrio Infections/epidemiology
18.
Glycoconj J ; 17(3 -4): 223-32, 2000.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11201794

ABSTRACT

Src family kinases play a relevant role in the development and differentiation of neuronal cells. They are abundant in sphingolipid-enriched membrane domains of many cell types, and these domains are hypothesized to function in bringing together molecules important to signal transduction. We studied the association of Src family tyrosine kinases and their negative regulatory kinase, Csk, with sphingolipids in sphingolipid-enriched domains of rat cerebellar granule cells differentiated in culture. We find that c-Src, Lyn and Csk are enriched in the sphingolipid-enriched fraction prepared from these cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments show that these and sphingolipids are part of the same domain. Cross-linking experiments with a photoactivable, radioactive GD1b derivative show that c-Src and Lyn, which are anchored to the membrane via a myristoyl chain, associate directly with GD1b. Csk, which is not inserted in the hydrophobic core of the membrane, is not photolabeled by this ganglioside. These results suggest that lipid-lipid, lipid-protein, and protein-protein interactions cooperate to maintain domain structure. We hypothesize that such interactions might play a role in the process of neuronal differentiation.


Subject(s)
Cerebellum/metabolism , Sphingolipids/metabolism , src-Family Kinases/metabolism , Animals , CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase , Carbohydrate Sequence , Cell Differentiation , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Cerebellum/cytology , Gangliosides , Membrane Proteins/chemistry , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Precipitin Tests , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley
20.
Mol Immunol ; 34(12-13): 967-76, 1997.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9464531

ABSTRACT

Aggregation of cell surface receptors plays an important role in signal transduction in many receptor systems. In the T cell receptor (TCR), as in many other cell surface receptors, this aggregation results in insolubility in certain nonionic detergents. We have characterized this insolubility for TCR, and we show it is not preexisting in HPB-ALL cells but increases with increasing TCR aggregation. It is not likely to be due to a direct interaction with cellular cytoskeletal elements, as it is not affected by inhibitors of actin or tubulin polymerization. It may be due to interaction with detergent-resistant membrane domains that have been found in various cell types and contain tyrosine kinases, the earliest known participants in TCR signal transduction. This aggregation-dependent insolubility occurs as rapidly as the anti-TCR antibody binds, so the kinetics are consistent with an involvement in signal transduction. It is not, however, dependent on signal transduction, as inhibitors of tyrosine kinases do not inhibit the insolubility. Insolubility is also enhanced by preaggregation of CD4, an important T cell surface molecule which also associates with the tyrosine kinase p56lck.


Subject(s)
Detergents/pharmacology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry , CD4 Antigens/chemistry , CD4 Antigens/drug effects , Cytoskeleton/drug effects , Cytoskeleton/metabolism , Enzyme Activation , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Jurkat Cells , Leukocyte Common Antigens/chemistry , Leukocyte Common Antigens/drug effects , Muromonab-CD3/pharmacology , Octoxynol/pharmacology , Phospholipase C gamma , Phosphorylation , Polymers , Protein Conformation , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/drug effects , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Solubility , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Type C Phospholipases/metabolism
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