Identification of archetype and rearranged forms of BK virus in leukocytes from healthy individuals.

BK virus (BKV) establishes a persistent, asymptomatic infection in more than 80% of the human population, and in immunocompromised individuals BKV causes acute urinary tract infections. Two forms of BKV, archetype and rearranged, have been recovered previously from urine samples. The rearranged form is believed to have emerged from the archetype form by the deletion and duplication of sequences within the transcriptional control region (TCR). We have PCR-amplified unique rearranged forms of the BKV TCR from peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) of healthy donors. By employing archetype-specific PCR primers, the archetype BKV TCR was also detected in PBLs. These findings are consistent with the hypotheses that PBLs transport BKV to different sites within the body and play a role in the TCR rearrangement process. BKV sequences were detected in 21 of 38 BKV-seropositive and 1 of 2 BKV-seronegative individuals. Because of recent suggestions that SV40 may circulate in the human population, the donors' sera were also examined for the presence of specific anti-SV40 antibodies. A high antibody titer to SV40 was detected in only 1 of the 40 donor specimens. This study is the first to characterize multiple BKV TCR variants in PBLs from healthy people and to correlate PCR and serological methods used to detect BKV infections.

Reproductive function in relation to duty assignments among military personnel.

As a follow-up to the pilot study of semen quality of soldiers with various military assignments a larger, more complete study was conducted. Soldiers were recruited at Fort Hood, Texas. Thirty-three men were exposed to radar as part of their duty assignment in the Signal Corps, 57 men were involved with firing the 155 mm howitzer (potential lead exposure), and 103 soldiers had neither lead nor radar exposure and served as the comparison control group. Both serum and urinary follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and serum, salivary, and urine testosterone levels were determined in all men. A complete semen analysis was conducted on each soldier. For statistical analysis, the primary study variables were: sperm concentration, sperm/ejaculate, semen volume, percent normal morphology, percent motile, percent viable (both vital stain and hypoosmotic swelling), curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, linearity, sperm head length, width, area, and perimeter. Variables were adjusted for significant confounders (e.g., abstinence, sample age, race). No statistical differences (P < 0.05) were observed in any measurement. While these results are in agreement with two previous studies assessing soldiers firing the 155-mm howitzer, they contradict our previous report indicating that radar exposure caused a significant decrease in sperm numbers. A possible explanation is that the radar exposure in this study was that used in Signal Corps operations while the men in the previous study were using different radar as part of military intelligence operations. The data presented here in men firing the 155-mm howitzer combined with the results from the previous studies confirms that there are no deficits in semen quality in these men. The contradiction between the results of the radar exposure studies indicates that more data are needed to evaluate the relationship of military radar and male reproductive health.

Semen analysis of military personnel associated with military duty assignments.

A collaborative study between the U.S. Army Biomedical Research and Development Laboratory (USABRDL) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was designed to assess fecundity of male artillery soldiers with potential exposures to airborne lead aerosols. Potential exposure assessment was based upon information provided in an interactive questionnaire. It became apparent from extensive questionnaire data that many soldiers in the initial control population had potentially experienced microwave exposure as radar equipment operators. As a result, a third group of soldiers without potential for lead or microwave exposures, but with similar environmental conditions, was selected as a comparison population. Blood hormone levels and semen analyses were conducted on artillerymen (n = 30), radar equipment operators (n = 20), and the comparison group (n = 31). Analysis of the questionnaire information revealed that concern about fertility problems motivated participation of some soldiers with potential artillery or microwave exposures. Although small study population size and the confounding variable of perceived infertility limit the reliability of the study, several statistically significant findings were identified. Artillerymen who perceived a possible fertility concern demonstrated lower sperm counts/ejaculate (P = 0.067) and lower sperm/mL (P = 0.014) than the comparison group. The group of men with potential microwave exposures demonstrated lower sperm counts/mL (P = 0.009) and sperm/ejaculate (P = 0.027) than the comparison group. Variables used to assess endocrine, accessory sex gland, and sperm cell function were not different than the comparison group. Additional studies, incorporating larger numbers of individuals, should be performed in order to more optimally characterize potential lead and microwave exposure effects on male fecundity.

Laboratory evaluation of a new repellent camouflage face paint.

A combined formulation of the U.S. Army's camouflage face paints and the new extended duration topical insect/arthropod repellent was tested on human volunteers to determine repellency and duration of protection (2-12 h) against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. Under laboratory conditions (27 degrees C and 80% RH), the face paint/repellent formulation provided > or = 95% repellency or better for up to 6 h for Ae. aegypti and 8 h for An. stephensi. An analysis of variance showed no significant differences in the repellent efficacy of the 4 camouflage colors: white, green, loam, and sand.