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Biomedical subjects

J S Reif

Publications and source records attributed to J S Reif.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A cancer registry-based study of occupational risk for lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukaemia.

Mortality and incidence studies have suggested that agricultural workers may be at increased risk for some cancers. Case-control methods were used to investigate the relationship between farming, other occupations, and lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukaemia. A total of 475 male cases, aged 20 years or more, and 1425 age-matched controls were identified through the Missouri Cancer Registry for the years 1984-1985. People with smoking-related cancers were excluded as controls to minimize bias associated with farmers' reported smoking patterns. Farmers had slightly elevated risks for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11) and Hodgkin's disease (OR = 1.30). The risk for leukaemia (all types) was not elevated (OR = 0.91); however, for acute lymphatic leukaemia an OR of 2.84 was detected. An OR of 2.78 (95% confidence interval = 1.09-7.07) for reticulosarcoma was observed among farmers 65 years and older. Several other occupational associations were noted which have been reported previously. Carpenters (OR = 3.10) and machinists (OR = 4.85) were at increased risk for Hodgkin's disease. An elevated risk of leukaemia was observed for mechanics (OR = 4.79). Since most previous studies of the associations between lymphatic and haematopoietic cancers and agriculture have been based on mortality data, additional studies of incident cases are suggested.

Adult↗

Effect of waste anesthetic gas and vapor exposure on reproductive outcome in veterinary personnel.

Elevated rates of adverse reproductive outcome among medical and dental personnel exposed to waste anesthetic gas and vapor have been noted in the literature. NIOSH issued recommended standards for occupational exposure to these agents in a criteria document published in 1977. This study was designed to investigate adverse reproductive outcome in veterinary personnel who are exposed to waste anesthetic gas and vapors at levels near the NIOSH recommended standards. This epidemiologic study employed case-control methodology using a national sample of male veterinarians, female veterinarians and female veterinary assistants. Occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gas and vapors was not found to be associated significantly with adverse reproductive outcome at the 95% confidence level for female veterinary personnel when adjustment was made for use of diagnostic x-rays. Use of diagnostic x-rays in veterinary practice was associated with a statistically significant increase in odds ratios for spontaneous abortion in female veterinarians and veterinary assistants.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the lung.

The relation between various risk factors and adenocarcinoma of the lung was evaluated in a case-control study. Subjects were selected from the Colorado Central Cancer Registry from 1979-1982 in the Denver metropolitan area. A total of 102 (50 males and 52 females) adenocarcinoma case interviews and 131 (65 males and 66 females) control interviews were completed. The control group consisted of persons with cancers of the colon and bone marrow. The risk estimates associated with cigarette smoking were significantly elevated among males (odds ratio (OR) = 4.49) and females (OR = 3.95) and were found to increase significantly (p less than 0.01) with increasing levels of cigarette smoking for both males and females. For adenocarcinoma in females, the age- and smoking-adjusted odds ratios at different levels of passive smoke exposure followed an increasing overall trend (p = 0.05). After additional adjustment for potential confounders, prior cigarette use remained the most significant predictor of risk of adenocarcinoma among males and females. Analysis restricted to nonsmoking females revealed a risk of adenocarcinoma of 1.68 (95% confidence interval (Cl) = 0.39-2.97) for passive smoke exposure of four or more hours per day. Neither sex showed significantly elevated risk for occupational exposures, although males bordered on significance (OR = 2.23, 95% Cl = 0.97-5.12). The results suggest the need to develop cell type-specific etiologic hypotheses.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Epizootic vesicular stomatitis in Colorado, 1982: infection in occupational risk groups.

In 1982-1983, an epizootic of vesicular stomatitis occurred in the western United States. Veterinarians, research workers, and regulatory personnel who were exposed to vesicular stomatitis virus were examined for patterns of human infection and prevalence of vesicular stomatitis New Jersey serotype neutralizing antibody. Insight into the mechanism of transmission was sought by comparing activities of antibody-positive and antibody-negative persons. A statistically significant risk factor was a history of infected animals sneezing in the face of serosurvey participants. Elevated odds ratios were also calculated for those who usually examined the oral cavity of affected animals, had open wounds on hands or arms, and had exposure to saliva through the eye or skin. Relatively intimate direct contact was required; a higher risk was associated with examining horses than cattle. Neutralizing antibody prevalence was significantly higher among exposed persons with illness (23%) than in exposed persons without a history of clinical illness (7%). Overall, however, infectivity of VSNJ for humans during the epizootic was low.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

Epizootic vesicular stomatitis in Colorado, 1982: epidemiologic studies along the northern Colorado front range.

Epidemiologic evaluations were made of farm personnel on vesicular stomatitis-affected premises along the front range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado during the 1982 epizootic. A similar antibody prevalence was noted to that of veterinarians and research and regulatory personnel who were involved with the same epizootic. Risk of infection resulted from intimate physical contact with infected horses or cows. Incidence and infection rates in horses were 45%; rates in cows were much lower, only 5%. Some epidemiologic clues were gained by a detailed study of an equine ranch. The pasture was incriminated as the area of highest risk, where 100% infection rates were noted. Horses in open pens and barns were at lower risk. Severe clinical disease in horses resulted in higher neutralizing antibody titers than inapparent or mild infection. Maternal antibody was detected in foals up to 4 months of age, and the level of antibody in the foal was a reflection of the dam's antibody level.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

The epidemiology of viral infections in dogs and cats.

Understanding the epidemiology of an infectious disease is a prerequisite to be being able to suggest the most appropriate methods for prevention and control of the disease. This article reviews some important epidemiologic concepts.

Animals↗

Serologic evidence of Legionella infection in horses.

The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to examine 109 samples of equine sera randomly selected from serum pools. Results were compared with titers obtained by the microagglutination (MA) test. A high correlation (r = 0.89) was found between titers measured by the 2 tests. Blood samples were obtained serially from a total of 156 horses at a research farm and the sera were tested against Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 through 4 using the MA test; 29 horses (19%) seroconverted to at least 1 serogroup of L pneumophila. The indirect fluorescent antibody test substantiated the results obtained by the MA test. Seroconversions in horses provided additional evidence that horses become naturally exposed to legionellae.

Agglutination Tests↗

Identification of carriers of Streptococcus equi in a naturally infected herd.

During an outbreak of strangles in a population of research horses, 4 mares were identified as carriers of Streptococcus equi. Three of the mares had typical signs of strangles (severe regional lymphadenitis with or without rupture of abscessed lymph nodes). The 4th mare experienced episodes of serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge, but never had more than a mild degree of lymph node enlargement. Streptococcus equi was isolated from the abscessed lymph nodes and from nasopharyngeal swab specimens from the first 3 mares from 6 to 19 weeks after rupture of involved nodes. Streptococcus equi was isolated from the nasopharynx of the 4th mare on introduction into the herd and intermittently over the ensuing 6 months. During the 7th month, mare 4 was placed in isolation, where she continued to shed S equi for 4 more months. A complete physical examination during the 10th month, including radiography of the head and thorax, did not reveal any relevant abnormalities, but a pharyngeal swab specimen was culture-positive for S equi. This isolate was used to inoculate 2 yearling colts, which developed strangles and from which S equi was reisolated. Shedding of S equi by mare 4 ceased in the 11th month, and at necropsy 2 months later, S equi was not recovered from any organ or tissue. Corticosteroid administration 3 weeks prior to necropsy had induced neither shedding of the organism nor clinical signs of strangles. The study provided clinical, epidemiologic, and bacteriologic evidence to support the existence of a carrier state following natural infection with S equi.

Abscess↗

Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analysis of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigens.

By crossed immunoelectrophoresis, 85 different antigens were demonstrated in sonicated preparations of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1). The precipitin patterns of 82 anodic-migrating antigens were numbered and were designated the Lp1 reference system. Eleven antigens were stable to boiling, and seven of these were shown to be surface antigens. One heat-stable surface antigen (antigen no. 61) was highly reactive with limulus amoebocyte lysates and formed a precipitin resembling lipopolysaccharide. Serum from an isolation confirmed case of Lp1 infection and serogroup-specific rabbit antiserum reacted specifically with antigen no. 61, which was designated the serogroup-specific antigen. Normal human and rabbit sera commonly had antibodies to antigen no. 66 of the Lp1 reference system. This antigen is antigenically related to the "common antigen" of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Animals↗

Cross-reactions between Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 1) and twenty-eight other bacterial species, including other members of the family Legionellaceae.

Cross-reactions between Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 and 28 other bacterial species were studied by various quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques. A sonicated L. pneumophila antigen and purified homologous rabbit antibody were used as a reference system. Few antigens (0 to 6) cross-reacted with non-Legionellaceae, but two were found in nearly all gram-negative bacteria tested (antigens no. 1 and 66). Antigen no. 66 of the L. pneumophila reference system was shown to be antigenically similar to the "common antigen" of Pseudomonas aeruginosa reported in many gram-negative bacteria. Greater than 85% of the antigens from L. pneumophila serogroup 1 cross-reacted with the other six serogroups of L. pneumophila. By contrast, Fluoribacter (Legionella) bozemanae, F. (L.) dumoffii, F. (L.) gormanii, and Tatlockia (Legionella) micdadei cross-reacted with only 45, 53, 39, and 43% of the reference system antigens, respectively. The antigenic relatedness of members of the Legionellaceae, expressed as a matching coefficient, is discussed in terms of its taxonomic significance. Serogroup-, genus-, and family-specific antigens are identified in the L. pneumophila reference system.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Experimental infections of horses with Legionella pneumophila.

Attempts to infect horses with Legionella pneumophila were undertaken to determine pathogenicity and to evaluate the possibility that horses serve as a reservoir for the organism. A previous study showed that the prevalence of antibodies to L pneumophila in the equine population exceeded 30% of over 600 sera examined. Horses were infected experimentally with the Philadelphia 1 or Bloomington 2 strain of L pneumophila IV or by aerosolization. Signs of clinical illness were restricted to a transient febrile response. A transient decrease in circulating lymphocytes occurred 2 days after inoculation. At necropsy, only moderate generalized lymphadenopathy was noted. Histologically, the lungs contained evidence of a low-grade inflammatory response characterized by focal proliferation of alveolar lining cells, with few neutrophils and eosinophils. Lymph nodes had evidence of reactive hyperplasia. The tissue response to Bloomington 2 strain was slightly more pronounced than that to Philadelphia 1. Attempts to reisolate L pneumophila from blood and nasal or pharyngeal swabs were unsuccessful. The organism was not isolated by culturing tissues obtained at necropsy, nor was it demonstrated by tissue-staining techniques. However, all horses exhibited a marked increase in agglutinating antibodies to L pneumophila serogroups (SG) 1 and 3 as early as 4 days after inoculation. The serologic response was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence and was shown to consist predominantly of immunoglobulin M by 2-mercaptoethanol treatment. Agglutinating antibodies persisted at least 4 months after infection. On the basis of these studies, the pathogenicity of L pneumophila SG 1 and 3 for the horse appears to be low. There is no evidence to support a role for the horse in the maintenance of these organisms in nature. Horses may be exposed in the environment and maintain a relatively long-lived serologic response to L pneumophila. However, it is also possible that they become infected with other strains of L pneumophila or Legionella-like organisms more pathogenic for horses, or other non-Legionella bacteria, which elicit a cross-reacting serologic response to L pneumophila SG 1 to 4.

Animals↗

Prevalence of antibodies to Legionella pneumophila in animal populations.

We examined more than 2,800 human and animal sera for antibodies to four serogroups of Legionella pneumophila by using the microagglutination test. Antibody titers of greater than or equal to 1:64 were considered positive. The occurrence of positive equine sera (31.4%) was significantly higher than the occurrence of positive sera in cattle (5.1%), swine (2.9%), sheep (1.9%), dogs (1.9%), goats (0.5%), wildlife (0%), and humans (0.4%). The highest titer measured in horses was 1:512. The occurrence of positive sera in horses was related directly to age. In horses less than or equal to 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 12, and greater than or equal to 13 years old, the percentages of positive sera were 0, 10.1, 30.3, 44.9 and 58.1%, respectively. When we compared age-specific serogroup-specific rates in horses from Colorado and Pennsylvania, we found differences. With horses 8 to 12 and greater than or equal to 13 years old, there was a significantly higher (P less than 0.05) occurrence of sera that reacted to serogroups II and III in horses from Pennsylvania. Of 242 positive sera, 43.8% reacted to a single serogroup (serogroup III or I most commonly), and 56.2% reacted to multiple serogroups (serogroups II and III or serogroups I, II, and III most commonly). A high percentage of seropositive horses suggested that horses are commonly infected with L. pneumophila or related organisms, and the age-specific rates of occurrence indicated that infection was related directly to duration of exposure. A definitive demonstration of equine infection will depend on isolation of the agent and repetition of this serological study with antigens obtained from organisms isolated from horses.

Age Factors↗

Seroepidemiology of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo in Colorado antelope and cattle.

A seroepidemiologic study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo infection in Colorado cattle and antelope. Sera were tested by the microscopic agglutination test, using a standard battery of 12 antigens as well as 4 additional serovars of the Hebdomadis serogroup: hardjo, szwajizak, sejroe, and balcanica. Sera from 1,856 cattle and 544 antelope were tested. In both populations, the predominant serovar detected was hardjo; hardjo titers greater than or equal to 1:400 were found in 3.2% of the cattle and 3.6% of antelope. A positive correlation was found to exist between serologic evidence of infection in cattle and the presence of antelope. In counties with presumably infected antelope, 5.6% of cattle sera reacted to hardjo; in counties with uninfected antelope, 2.6% of cattle tested were seropositive for hardjo; where no antelope existed, titers of greater than or equal to 1:400 were not detected.

Animals↗

A cohort study of canine testicular neoplasia.

A prospective epidemiologic study of canine testicular neoplasia was undertaken in the Philadelphia area in 1971, with the cooperation of private veterinary practitioners. By the end of 1975, 938 dogs had been monitored for an average of 2 years. The cohort consisted of 609 cryptorchid and 329 age- and breed-matched controls. The incidence of testicular neoplasia in the cryptorchid subcohort was 12.7/1,000 dog-years at risk. Testicular neoplasms did not develop in controls. A large proportion of the dogs were below the average age at onset for this neoplasm. Among dogs over 6 years of age, the incidence was 68.1/1,000 dog-years at risk. The incidence of Sertoli cell tumors and seminoma was approximately twice as high in dogs with unilaterally retained inguinal testicles as in abdominal cryptorchids. Sertoli cell tumors developed in 10 dogs and seminoma developed in 6. One half of the testicular neoplasms that developed did so within the first year of observation. This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting prospective epidemiologic studies of canine diseases with the assistance of practicing veterinarians.

Animals↗

Natal patterns among registered dogs in the United States.

Breed, geographic, and seasonal distributions of canine births registered with the American Kennel Club for the years 1971 to 1973, accompanied by litter size and sex ratio data, were studied. A few breeds accounted for a large portion of the births. The breed distribution of births changed as popularity of various canine types waxed and waned. The geographic distribution of births generally paralleled the pattern of human population and was relatively stable. A distinct, repetitive seasonal distribution of births was evident. Human intervention probably molded much of this pattern, but genetic factors and environmental conditions also were involved. Litter size and sex ratio varied primarily with breed rather than with region or season and hence appeared genetically based.

Animals↗