Seroprevalence in Chickens against Campylobacter jejuni Flagellar Capping Protein (FliD) in Selected Areas of the United States.

Campylobacter jejuni is a causative pathogen of human acute bacterial gastroenteritis. Infected poultry products are regarded as a major source for human C. jejuni infection. The flagellar capping protein (FliD) is highly conserved among C. jejuni strains/isolates and is antigenic as analysed by immunoblot. In this study, we used the FliD protein as a probe to survey the prevalence of C. jejuni antibodies in chickens from two areas in the United States. A total of 394 samples were tested. Sera from layer breeders of 44-52 weeks of age tested 100% positive, while 4- to 6-week broilers from 22 premises showed 7-100% positivity. These results demonstrate that anti-FliD antibodies were prevalent in the poultry population in the areas of serum samples collected.

Mortality and morbidity in different immunization protocols for experimental autoimmune myocarditis in rats.

AIM: We aimed to investigate the histological and clinical presentations of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) induced by different immunization schemes. METHODS: Male young Lewis rats were divided into five groups immunized by porcine myocardial myosin: subcutaneously (SC) 2 mg (in two 1-mg doses on day 0 and 7), 0 mg (sham group) subcutaneously into rear footpads (RF), 0.25 mg RF, 0.5 mg RF or 1 mg RF (all RF once on day 0). On day 21, left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac catheterization. The type and degree of myocardial inflammatory infiltrates were determined by conventional histology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the SC immunized rats and in the RF sham group, we observed 0% mortality, while in the actively RF immunized rats, mortality was 20, 20 and 44% for the 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg myosin doses respectively. Morbidity as defined by inflammatory infiltrates on haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was 22% in the SC immunized rats, 0% in the RF sham group and 100% in all actively RF immunized groups. We observed augmented relative ventricle weight and spleen weight, increased LV end-diastolic pressure, reduced LV developed pressure and reduced LV ejection fraction in all with myosin-immunized RF groups without any systematic dose effect. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous immunization to the neck and flanks did not induce a reproducible EAM, while RF myosin administration reliably led to EAM. Lower myosin doses seem to induce the complete histological and clinical picture of EAM while being associated with lower mortality, non-specific symptoms and animal distress.

Antibody prevalence of low-pathogenicity avian influenza and evaluation of management practices in Minnesota backyard poultry flocks.

Low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses have caused illness in poultry and humans with poultry contact. To determine whether there is evidence of exposure to avian influenza viruses (AIV) among backyard poultry in Minnesota and their human caretakers, 150 flocks of backyard birds were sampled for antibodies to AIV from August 2007 through December 2008. One hundred flocks were tested through routine slaughter surveillance by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and an additional 50 flocks were contacted and sampled by study investigators. Blood was collected from 10 to 13 birds from each flock and a survey of biosecurity and management practices was administered to the flock owner. Blood samples were tested by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) for influenza A antibodies. Tested flocks had a median flock size of 100 birds (range: 12-800 birds), and were most commonly owned for meat for personal use (81% of respondents), fun or hobby (58%) and eggs for personal use (56%). Although 7% of flock owners reported that their birds had shown respiratory signs in the previous 3 months, only 1 of 150 flocks tested positive for influenza by AGID. Antibodies to LPAI H6N1 were detected in the positive flock. The owner of the positive flock did not have antibodies to H6 or other common AIV. Based on the findings of this study, the risk of transmission of LPAI viruses from backyard poultry to owners in Minnesota appears to be low under current conditions and management practices.

Particulate matter concentration and air quality affected by windblown dust in the Columbia plateau.

The USEPA has proposed to regulate PM(coarse) (particulate matter 2.5 to 10 microm in diameter). Exceedance of the proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM(coarse) is expected within the Columbia Plateau of the Pacific Northwest United States based on the high frequency of dust storms and the large contribution of crustal material to fugitive dust in the region. The objective of this study was to explore the implication of the proposed NAAQS for PM(coarse) on air quality. Concurrent observations of both PM10 (particulate matter

[Generalized anxiety disorder with comorbidity. Treatment with pregabalin]. / Generalisierte Angststörung mit Komorbidität. Behandlung mit Pregabalin.

The efficacy of pregabalin in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been shown in recent studies. Our experience and case reports in the present publication indicate that pregabalin can be an effective therapeutic option for patients with GAD and comorbid psychiatric disorders. Treatment with pregabalin should also be considered in patients with partial remission of GAD or intolerability of SSRI or SNRI.

Evidence of avian pneumovirus spread beyond Minnesota among wild and domestic birds in central North America.

To detect avian pneumovirus (APV) in central North America, nasal turbinates or choanal deft tissues from domestic turkeys and wild birds were examined for the presence of APV RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), whereas serum samples from domestic turkeys were analyzed for APV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In 2002, the seroprevalence of disease in domestic turkeys in Minnesota remained high (42.3% of the flocks). In addition, there is evidence the disease has spread to turkey flocks in North Dakota (8.2%), South Dakota (7%), Iowa (10%), and Wisconsin (8.6%) as detected by RT-PCR and/or ELISA. House sparrows and ring-billed gulls sampled in Minnesota and snow geese from Saskatchewan, Canada, were found to harbor APV RNA. Sequence analysis of wild bird APV strains showed high amino acid sequence identity among wild bird isolates (<97%) and between wild bird and turkey viral isolates (93.2%-99.3%). This study demonstrated that APV infections were present in domestic turkey flocks and wild birds outside the state of Minnesota; however, the role of wild birds in spreading APV to domestic turkeys remains unclear.

Modulation of growth factor binding properties of alpha2-macroglobulin by enzyme therapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the binding of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) to human alpha2-macroglobulin upon oral treatment of patients with proteases. METHODS: Volunteers were given a cocktail of active proteinases (Phlogenzym) composed of trypsin, bromelain and the additive rutoside orally over a period of 7 days at low dose followed by a bolus application. Before and after medication plasma was immediately withdrawn and binding of 125I-TGF-beta to the proteinase inhibitor alpha2-macroglobulin was determined by electrophoresis and gamma-counting. Cell culture experiments were performed to study the effect of transformed alpha2-macroglobulin on TGF-beta-stimulated proliferation of skin fibroblasts. RESULTS: Ingestion of proteinases was found to trigger the formation of intermediate forms of alpha2-macroglobulin displaying high affinity to TGF-beta. Maximum binding of TGF-beta was observed 1-2 h after bolus ingestion, and steadily levelled off with time. In vitro experiments demonstrated that complex formation of diverse proteinases (trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, bromelain and plasmin) with alpha2-macroglobulin conferred binding of 125I-TGF-beta, alpha2-Macroglobulin transformed by methylamine or proteinases was found to abolish the TGF-beta effect on fibroblasts in cell culture. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal absorption of proteinases triggers the formation of TGF-beta binding species of alpha2-macroglobulin in blood. Mediated by this process high concentrations of TGF-beta might be reduced via enhanced clearance of alpha2-macroglobulin-TGF-beta complexes. Thus, proteinase therapy may have beneficial effects in treatment of fibrosis and certain cancers accompanied by excessively high TGF-beta concentrations.

Alpha 2-macroglobulin-mediated degradation of amyloid beta 1--42: a mechanism to enhance amyloid beta catabolism.

Peptides derived from proteolytic degradation of the amyloid precursor protein, e.g., amyloid beta (A beta), are considered to be central to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Soluble A beta is present in measurable concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid and blood. There are indications that soluble A beta present in circulation can cross the blood-brain barrier via transcytosis mediated by brain capillary endothelial cells. It implies that A beta originating from circulation may contribute to vascular and parenchymal A beta deposition in AD. Enhancing of A beta catabolism mediated by proteolytic degradation or receptor-mediated endocytosis could be a key mechanism to maintain low concentrations of soluble A beta. To launch A beta clearance we have exploited the A beta-degrading activity of diverse alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M)-proteinase complexes. Complexes with trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, and bromelain strongly degrade (125)I-A beta 1--42 whereas complexes with endogenous proteinases, e.g., plasmin and prostate-specific antigen, were not effective. A beta degradation by the complexes was not inhibited by alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and soybean trypsin inhibitor which normally would inactivate the free serine proteinases. A prerequisite for A beta degradation is its binding to specific binding sites in alpha 2-M that may direct A beta to the active site of the caged proteinase. Ex vivo, enhanced degradation of (125)I-A beta 1--42 in blood could be achieved upon oral administration of high doses of proteinases to volunteers. These results suggest that up-regulation of A beta catabolism could probably reduce the risk of developing AD by preventing A beta accumulation in brain and vasculature.

Delphi study to identify core competencies in geriatric dentistry.

The Delphi technique and an expert panel of general practitioners were used to identify geriatric dentistry core competencies--the necessary knowledge, skills, and values of new graduates to meet the oral health needs of older patients. Of the 74 dentists solicited, 50 dentists agreed to participate, and 40 dentists returned two questionnaires. Respondents were mostly male, white, in solo practice, with a mean age of 51.6 (SD 7.4) years. The first survey asked the participants to identify at least three topics in geriatric dentistry that they believed to be essential to a dental curriculum to graduate competent practitioners who can effectively treat older patients. The 45 unique responses were used in the second questionnaire that asked the practitioners to rate the importance of each topic for inclusion in a curriculum. For the 29 items describing skills, respondents indicated how often they performed the skill in their practices. Finally, the respondents considered all 45 items, and selected the five most crucial topics. Overall, participants achieved good consensus as to core knowledge, skills, and values needed to provide general dental care to older patients.

Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in poultry.

Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from feed ingredients or poultry sources isolated during 1995 to 1997 from different geographical locations within Minnesota were examined for the presence of Salmonella Typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104). Antibiotic susceptibility studies indicated that 15 of 50 isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium had an antibiotic resistance pattern (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline) that is usually observed with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. Of the 15 isolates showing the antibiotic resistance pattern, 8 isolates were phage type 104, 3 isolates were typed as phage type 104 complex, and the remaining 4 isolates belonged to phage types 193, 81, and 126. DT104 was recovered from both feed ingredients and poultry samples. Of the seven feed ingredient-associated Salmonella Typhimurium isolates, four were DT104, whereas only 7 of 43 poultry-associated Salmonella Typhimurium isolates were DT104. A repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) of 50 isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium representing 13 phage types identified seven distinct fingerprint profiles. No correlation between phage type and rep-PCR type was noticed. Eleven Salmonella Typhimurium isolates belonging to DT104 and its complex were grouped into two closely related rep-PCR types.

Product notebook: occlusive skin paste.

UNLABELLED: When selecting products for the prevention or treatment of skin breakdown due to fecal incontinence and diarrhea, the health care professional should consider the following: ETIOLOGY: The premixed skin paste we tested, Critic-Aid, is an important part of our treatment plan, but it is not a cure for the etiology of loose stools. SAFETY: Use premixed products, or ingredients in an institutional mixture, only in ways approved by the FDA. Convenience: The staffing situation has made the use of time-savers imperative. Quality Control: The product you use or mix should perform consistently. Cost: Choose the most cost-effective product that meets your patients' needs. Conventional treatments and preparations failed to prevent or heal skin breakdown in our patients with fecal incontinence and diarrhea. In response to this problem, we concocted our own institutional mixture, using only ingredients approved by the FDA for use in wounds and consulting the hospital pharmacist at every turn. However, the procedural and potency problems resulting from our institutional mixture prompted us to test a premixed skin paste, Critic-Aid, which exceeded our expectations.

Influenza in commercial broiler breeders.

Influenza was detected in a flock of broiler breeders during routine serological monitoring. Although there were no clinical signs, egg production may have been affected in hens on one story of a two-story breeder house. Intensive measures were taken to avoid transmission to other farms. Two months after the flock was found to be serologically positive, sentinel hens were placed in the flock, and they became serologically positive 1 month later. In spite of this evidence for virus being present in the flock, no detectable transmission to any other farm occurred.

Hematozoa of raptors from southern New Jersey and adjacent areas.

Blood smears from 259 birds of 12 species, representing four families of raptors, from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia were examined for blood parasites. Infected birds constituted 59.1% of the total. Birds were infected with one or more of the following genera of protozoa: Leucocytozoon (43.2%); Haemoproteus (21.6%); Plasmodium (1.2%); and Trypanosoma (1.2%). Blood culture of 142 raptors of 11 species for Trypanosoma revealed a prevalence of 41.5%. Plasmodium circumflexum is reported for the first time in Accipiter striatus, and Trypanosoma sp. in Buteo jamaicensis.

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. A clinicopathologic analysis of 36 cases.

Thirty-six cases of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma form the basis for this retrospective clinicopathologic study. This group comprised 24 females (67%) and 12 males (33%), whose ages ranged from 12 to 94 years (median, 60 years.). The clinical presentation, invariably nonspecific, consisted of pain or weight loss, typically associated with a palpable abdominal mass. Of the 30 patients with follow-up data, 23 (77%) died of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. Grossly, the bulky often multinodular tumors, which ranged from 7.5 to 35 cm in maximal dimension (median, 12.8 cm), varied from firm to soft. In addition to the classical microscopic picture of leiomyosarcoma as manifested by interlacing fascicles of slender eosinophilic cells, other less frequently encountered, morphologic variations of malignant smooth-muscle tumors were also observed. Although absolute minimal criteria for a malignant tumor diagnosis could not be established, the findings suggest that a retroperitoneal smooth-muscle tumor that measures at least 7.5 cm in greatest dimension and that has as few as 1 mitosis/10 HPF is capable of metastasis.

Experimental infection of ectoparasitic arthropods with Rickettsia prowazekii (GvF-16 strain) and transmission to flying squirrels.

Epizootiologic studies conducted during the past few years showed the existence of widespread natural infection of the southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans, with epidemic typhus rickettsiae, Rickettsia prowazekii. The ecological findings strongly implicated transmission of the etiologic agent by an arthropod vector. Studies were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions to determine whether ectoparasites naturally associated with flying squirrels (squirrel fleas, lice, mites and ticks) were capable of acquiring, maintaining and transmitting the infection. Also studied were the cat flea, oriental rat flea and the human body louse. Flying squirrels inoculated with the GvF-16 strain of R. prowazekii circulated rickettsiae in their blood for 2-3 weeks, thus providing ample opportunity for arthropods feeding on them to become infected. The results with Dermacentor variabilis ticks indicated that the rickettsiae did not consistently survive in this insect and were not passed to the eggs of adult females that had been infected subcuticularly. Mites became infected by feeding on infectious blood but failed to sustain the infection. Also, mites fed on an infected flying squirrel did not transmit the infection to a normal squirrel. Squirrel, cat, and oriental rat fleas readily became infected by feeding on a rickettsemic host or on infectious blood through membranes, but failed to transmit the infection to susceptible flying squirrels. In the studies with flying squirrel lice, however, transmission of epidemic typhus from infected to uninfected flying squirrels was demonstrated. Infection of the human body louse with the GvF-16 flying squirrel strain of R. prowazekii was similar to that previously observed with classical human strains, viz., multiplication of the rickettsiae and excretion in the feces.

Cranial fasciitis of childhood.

Nine cases of fibroblastic lesions occurring in the cranium of young children were reviewed. The age of the patients at the time of initial treatment ranged from three weeks to six years (median 18 months), with the lesions being congenital in two cases. There was 2:1 male predominance. The size of the lesions averaged 2.5 cm in greatest dimension with the largest being 9.0 cm. All cases presented as rapidly growing masses with a preoperative duration of only two months. The lesions presented as soft-tissue masses deep in the scalp with involvement of the underlying cranium in all eight of the cases in which roentgenograms or operative reports were available for review. Characteristically, there was erosion of only the outer table of the skull, although in three cases the lesion extended through the inner table to attach to the underlying dura mater. It was not possible to detect the exact site or origin, although origin from one of the deep fascial layers of the scalp or the underlying periosteum seems most likely. Microscopically, the lesion appeared to be a proliferation of loosely arranged fibroblasts which most closely resembled nodular fasciitis. Mitotic figures as well as foci of osseous metaplasia were present. Treatment consisted of excision of the mass with local resection or curettage of the affected underlying bone in some cases. Followup revealed a benign clinical course with no recurrent or aggressive behavior.

Epizootiology of epidemic typhus (Rickettsia prowazekii) in flying squirrels.

Vector transmission of Rickettsia prowazekii among wild flying squirrels, Glaucomys volans, was suggested by the occurrence of natural infection of squirrel lice and fleas. Lice, mostly Neohaematopinus sciuropteri Osburn, were found infected in the fall in each of 2 consecutive years; 4 of the 8 pools of this insect tested were infected. Fleas, Orchopeas howardii (Baker), were found infected on two occasions in 1 of the 2 consecutive years. However, only 2 of 14 flea pools were infected. No evidence of infection was found in mites, Haemogamasus reidi Ewing and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi (Berlese). These findings implicate the flying squirrel louse and flea as possible vectors in nature. Serologic tests of flying squirrel sera revealed a maximum incidence of seroconversions in the fall and early winter months, coincident with the maximum increase in abundance of the suspected arthropod vectors. The infection was found to persist form year to year in the same enzootic foci. Infection appeared to spread most rapidly in young, non-immune animals born in the preceding spring and summer after congregating in dense aggregations in the fall. No other animals in the same habitat were found to have been infected. Aspects of the ecology of the ectoparasites associated with the flying squirrels are described, especially seasonal activity and abundance in nests. The potential public health importance of this sylvan disease in flying squirrels and in its ectoparasites, particularly the non-host specific, wide ranging squirrel flea, is noted.