The role of veterinarians in zoonosis prevention: Advising families of immunocompromised children with pets.

Background: Pet ownership is widespread, offering numerous benefits to individuals and families. However, the risk of zoonotic diseases must be carefully considered, especially for immunosuppressed patients. Knowledge gaps in preventive measures for zoonoses have been identified, underscoring the vital role of veterinarians in addressing this issue. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and recommendations of veterinarians regarding pet ownership by immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, we compared these insights with responses from European healthcare professionals specializing in pediatric transplant recipients. Methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study involving small animal veterinarians in Spain. An online survey was administered to gather information on veterinarians' knowledge of zoonoses and their recommendations for immunocompromised pet owners. Results: A survey of 514 individuals was collected from experienced veterinarians mainly working in primary care clinics. Surprisingly, 63% of respondents did not routinely inquire about the presence of immunocompromised individuals among pet owners, although 54% offered specific recommendations for this group. Most respondents adhered to deworming guidelines for pets owned by immunocompromised individuals and demonstrated sound practices in Leishmania and Leptospira prevention, as well as the avoidance of raw food. However, gaps were noted concerning Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccination. Notably, veterinarians outperformed medical professionals in their knowledge of zoonotic cases and identification of zoonotic microorganisms. The presence of specific recommendations in veterinary clinics was viewed positively by nearly all respondents. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that veterinarians possess a superior understanding of zoonotic pathogens and exhibit greater proficiency in diagnosing zoonoses compared with physicians. They stay well-informed about recommendations outlined in established guidelines and are more likely to provide written recommendations in their clinics than physicians. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps among veterinarians emphasize the need for enhanced communication between medical and veterinary professionals. Reinforcing the "One Health" concept is imperative, with veterinarians playing a pivotal role in this collaborative effort.

Global molecular diversity of Hepatitis E virus in wild boar and domestic pig.

Our study aim was to describe and characterize the global Hepatitis E virus (HEV) molecular and genotype geographical distribution in domestic pig and wild boar, which could facilitate the traceability of human cases. We performed a systematic sequence search for HEVs identified in domestic pig and wild boar from the available data in GenBank. Only sequences with lengths greater than 300 nt were included. For all sequences, the sequence length, host (i.e., domestic pig or wild boar), country of origin, and HEV genotype/subtype were recorded. Genotypes were assigned by the HEVnet typing tool. The genotype distributions were described by country and host. In countries with sequences available for both species, the genotype coincidences between both animal populations were analyzed. A total of 1404 viral sequences were included: 32.6% from wild boar and 67.4% from domestic pig. Most sequences were consistent with HEV genotype 3 (n = 1165). Genotype 4 was represented by 193 sequences, while genotypes 5 and 6 were represented by only 6 sequences. Sequences were identified in 39 countries, which included all continents except Antarctica. The genotypes with a wide distribution were 3a and 3f. Twenty-five countries had sequences that were found only in domestic pig, three countries only in wild boar, and 11 countries had sequences in both populations. In all countries with available sequences in both populations, the same viral genotype was identified. Our study shows that the number of swine HEV sequences is small, which limits direct comparisons with the sequences identified in humans. The global distribution of genotype 3, together with the wide distribution of genotype 4 in Asia, strongly limits the interpretation of the molecular analysis in the absence of an epidemiological survey of the cases. Increased HEV sequencing in swine should be a priority.

Periodic Limb Movements During Sleep Mimicking REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: A New Form of Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.

Study Objectives: To describe a group of patients referred because of abnormal sleep behaviors that were suggestive of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in whom video-polysomnography ruled out RBD and showed the reported behaviors associated with vigorous periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS). Aims and Methods: Clinical history and video-polysomnography review of patients identified during routine visits in a sleep center. Results: Patients were 15 men and 2 women with a median age of 66 (range: 48-77) years. Reported sleep behaviors were kicking (n = 17), punching (n = 16), gesticulating (n = 8), falling out of bed (n = 5), assaulting the bed partner (n = 2), talking (n = 15), and shouting (n = 10). Behaviors resulted in injuries in 3 bed partners and 1 patient. Twelve (70.6%) patients were not aware of displaying abnormal sleep behaviors that were only noticed by their bed partners. Ten (58.8%) patients recalled unpleasant dreams such as being attacked or chased. Video-polysomnography showed (1) frequent and vigorous stereotyped PLMS involving the lower limbs, upper limbs, and trunk (median PLMS index 61.2; median PLMS index in NREM sleep 61.9; during REM sleep only 8 patients had PLMS and their median PLMS index in REM sleep was 39.5); (2) abnormal behaviors (e.g., punching, groaning) during some of the arousals that immediately followed PLMS in NREM sleep; and (3) ruled out RBD and other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Dopaminergic agents were prescribed in 14 out of the 17 patients and resulted in improvement of abnormal sleep behaviors and unpleasant dreams in all of them. After dopaminergic treatment, follow-up video-polysomnography in 7 patients showed a decrease in the median PLMS index from baseline (108.9 vs. 19.2, p = .002) and absence of abnormal behaviors during the arousals. Conclusions: Abnormal sleep behaviors and unpleasant dreams simulating RBD symptomatology may occur in patients with severe PLMS. In these cases, video-polysomnography ruled out RBD and identified prominent PLMS followed by arousals containing abnormal behaviors. Our cases represent an objectively documented subtype of periodic limb movement disorder causing abnormal sleep behaviors.

Fish consumption and advisory awareness among the Philadelphia Asian community: a pilot study.

Difficulties in the risk communication of fish consumption arise from the concept that this consumption can have both harmful and beneficial effects. This is particularly an issue among populations for which seafood is a major dietary and cultural component. Fish advisories are an important tool in preventing overconsumption of fish that have elevated concentrations of toxic contaminants. The exploratory pilot study described in this article examined fish consumption patterns and knowledge of the potential health risks associated with overconsumption of mercury-contaminated fish within a limited (N = 34) sample of the Philadelphia Asian-American population. Study data were used to evaluate the efficacy of state-issued advisories designed to encourage safe levels of fish consumption within the study population. Results indicate that while advisory awareness levels among study participants were greater than previously observed in Asian-American populations, consumption levels remained high. The limited findings of the authors' study, in combination with existing evidence, suggest the need for the development of more effective methods of disseminating advisory information.

Exposure of laboratory animal care workers to airborne mouse and rat allergens.

Urine of rats and mice is the main source of allergenic proteins that can enter the respiratory tract of laboratory animal care workers. Little is known about the levels and determinants of these exposures in the United States. We investigated the relationship between activities in animal facilities and levels of personal exposure to allergen by collecting personal breathing zone dust samples from 7 caretakers during full workdays for 1 wk. Mice and rat urinary allergens in inhalable dust were quantified via immunoassay. The activities of the sampled workers were observed, and the methods of preventing exposure to allergens were recorded. Mouse urinary allergen was detected in 20 of 39 measurements, yielding a geometric mean of 0.8 ng/m(3) with a maximum of 24 ng/m(3). Washing and cleaning cages and the number of mice handled daily were the most important determinants of personal exposure to mouse urinary allergen, as identified by using multiple linear regressions that explained 51% of total variance. Personal exposures to mouse urinary allergen were associated with day-to-day variation of tasks rather than characteristics of workers. Where potential for personal exposure is the highest, protective measures (N95 masks and cage dumping stations) appeared to be used, as is appropriate. Rat urinary allergen was detected in 4 of 39 measurements; detectable concentrations were between 0.8 and 39 ng/m(3). Only persons who handled rats were exposed to rat urinary allergen. The current findings are valuable for establishing exposure levels against which comparisons of improvement or deterioration of personal exposures can be made.

Isolation of airborne oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from culturable air samples of urban residences.

Culturable single-stage impactor samples were collected onto nutrient agar in kitchen and bedroom areas of eight urban and four suburban residences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Staphylococcus aureus colonies were identified by replica plating of the original impactor samples onto Chapman Stone medium followed by isolation of up to eight colonies for coagulase testing. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was utilized to evaluate S. aureus resistance to both oxacillin and cefaclor. The median concentrations of total culturable bacteria observed in bedrooms and trash areas were 300 CFU/m(3) and 253 CFU/m(3), respectively. Median culturable Staphylococcus spp. concentrations in bedrooms and trash areas were 142 CFU/m(3) and 204 CFU/m(3), respectively. A total of 148 individual S. aureus colonies were isolated and tested for antibiotic resistance. Cefaclor resistance was encountered among only 6 of the 148 (4%) colonies. Nearly one-quarter of all S. aureus isolates tested displayed resistance (n = 30) or intermediate resistance (n = 5) to oxacillin. Twenty-six percent (n = 20) of trash area isolates and 21% (n = 15) of bedroom isolates displayed resistance or intermediate resistance to oxacillin. The median difference in percent resistance between trash and bedroom areas was 10% (p = 0.1). Results suggest that there may be a systematic difference in bacterial populations between downtown and suburban residences. Storage of household waste and handling of food may contribute to presence of the organism in the air of residences.

Formulación de soluciones oftálmicas de ciclosporina en colirio al 2 por 100 para la práctica clínica / Formulation of cyclosporine 2% eyedrops solutions for clinical practice

Los colirios de ciclosporina existentes en la práctica farmacéuticapresentan deficiencias que hacen que su calidad y seguridad no seaaceptable, máxime cuando se emplea como fuente de materia primaun medicamento comercializado. En el presente trabajo se definela fuente de principio activo, los excipientes empleados, los métodosde elaboración de las formulaciones y su evaluación que incluye susolubilización, fabricación y estabilidad física, así como la toleranciade los vehículos en voluntarios sanos. Se han elaborado formulacionesacuosas y oleosas de colirios de ciclosporina al 2 por 100 convehículos como miristato de isopropilo, macrogolglicéridos de oleilo,triglicéridos de cadena media, aceite de oliva y suero fisiológico. Lafórmula de ciclosporina y miristato de isopropilo resulta la más adecuadapor lo que se propone al Formulario Nacional español(AU)

The cyclosporine eyedrops in the current pharmaceutical practicedisplay deficiencies that cause their quality and safety not acceptable,especially when a commercialized made up drug is used like sourceof raw material. In the present investigation, the source of activeprinciple is defined, the ingredients, the methods of making-upof the formulations and their evaluation that includes solving,manufacturing and physical stability as well as the tolerance of thevehicles in healthy volunteers. Aqueous and oily formulationscyclosporine 2% eyedrops have been manufactured using vehicleslike isopropyl myristate, oleoyl macrogolglycerides, medium chaintriglycerides, olive oil and saline solution. Cyclosporine and isopropylmyristate formula is the most suitable and it is proposed to beincluded into the Spanish National Formulary(AU)

Seasonal changes in airborne fungi and bacteria at a dairy cattle concentrated animal feeding operation in the southwest United States.

The objective of this study was to evaluate a dairy located in the arid southwest United States to determine the concentrations and seasonal variation of airborne fungi and bacteria and to determine the percentage of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The authors used two-stage ambient air sampling systems to measure the culturable airborne fungal organisms and bacteria on a monthly basis. The authors recovered the most fungal, bacterial, and S. aureus organisms during the spring months. The most common fungi identified were Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Stemphylium, which were most common in the spring and least common in the summer. S. aureus made up 4.2% to 5.5% of the total bacteria, and greater than 50% of this bacteria were found to be resistant to ampicillin, penicillin, or cefaclor, with the greatest incidence of antibiotic resistance occuring in the fall. The incidence of S. aureus resistant to at least two antibiotics ranged from 14% in the spring to 54% in the fall.

Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from residential indoor bioaerosols.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we evaluated the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic-resistant S. aureus in colony-forming units (CFU) per cubic meter of air. DESIGN: We used Andersen two-stage samplers to collect bioaerosol samples from 24 houses in El Paso, Texas, using tryptic soy agar as the collection media, followed by the replicate plate method on Chapman Stone selective medium to isolate S. aureus. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine antibiotic resistance to ampicillin, penicillin, and cefaclor, which represent two distinct classes of antibiotics. RESULTS: The average recovered concentration of respirable heterotrophic organisms found outside each home was 345.38 CFU/m3, with an average of 12.63 CFU/m3 for S. aureus. The average recovered concentration of respirable heterotrophic organisms found inside each home was 460.23 CFU/m3, with an average of 15.39 CFU/m3 for S. aureus. The respirable S. aureus recovered from inside each home had an average resistance of 54.59% to ampicillin and 60.46% to penicillin. Presence of cefaclor-resistant and of multidrug-resistant S. aureus was the same, averaging 13.20% per house. The respirable S. aureus recovered from outside each home had an average resistance of 34.42% to ampicillin and 41.81% to penicillin. Presence of cefaclor-resistant and of multidrug-resistant S. aureus was the same, averaging 13.96% per house. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that antibiotic-resistant bioaerosols are commonly found within residential homes. Our results also suggest that resistant strains of airborne culturable S. aureus are present in higher concentrations inside the study homes than outside the homes.