The proof for the general evolution of metastatic neuroblastoma from localized disease by a low-speed process is lacking. The epidemiological approach would require the decrease of neuroblastoma related mortality by reduction of the number of metastatic cases per population unit as a result of a screening program. During 1983 through 1990 the neuroblastoma incidence in the FRG was 0.85-1.09 cases per 100,000 children less than 15 years of age. The mortality rate ranged between 0.25 and 0.49 deaths per 100,000 children. The project "Niedersachsen/Nordrhein-Westfalen" started April 1st, 1992 and is investigating urinary catecholamine metabolite excretion in infants at the age of 10-12 months and for a second time in toddlers at 17-19 months. The target population includes 24.7 million inhabitants with 267,000 births per year. The urine sampled on filter paper is analyzed using thin layer chromatography. Positive and questionable positive results are confirmed by HPLC and GC-MS. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the feasibility of the chosen approach. Furthermore first epidemiological data will be obtained. Until a population-based study on neuroblastoma mortality in screened versus controlled populations has proven the usefulness of the screening it cannot be recommended as a general service to the public.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Mucoviscidosis screening by determination of immunoreactive trypsin].

Immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) was measured radioimmunologically in samples of blood dried on filterpaper of 18 417 newborns. In 221 samples (1.2%) the concentration exceeded 80 ng/ml whole blood. In these cases we asked for a further sample of blood dried on filterpaper and for further clinical tests. Cystic fibrosis (CF) was confirmed in three babies, one of these died from meconium ileus. The IRT-concentrations did not drop significantly in 4 and 6 weeks respectively in the 2 patients, whereas this was the case in 192 babies without CF. Our data suggest that the determination of IRT may be developed into a highly specific screening method for CF provided that optimal reagents are selected and that blood is collected during the 4th or 5th week of life.

Cystic Fibrosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dynamics of Salmonella contamination in a commercial quail operation.

Control of carcass contamination requires knowledge of the source and dynamics of spread of Salmonella in commercial poultry production. We examined Salmonella contamination at a U.S. commercial quail operation. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to type isolates in order to trace Salmonella throughout this production environment. During a 6-mo survey, Salmonella serotypes hadar, typhimurium, typhimurium variant Copenhagen, and paratyphi were encountered within this poultry operation. Ninety-four percent of the Salmonella isolated from breeder and production houses and from carcass rinses belonged to Salmonella serotypes typhimurium variant Copenhagen and hadar. There were six distinct S. typhimurium variant Copenhagen genetic types, as identified by PFGE, present within this particular poultry operation. Seventy-nine percent of S. typhimurium variant Copenhagen identified from the environment of the breeder and production houses produced the same PFGE pattern. Thirty-eight percent of S. typhimurium Copenhagen isolated from carcass rinses and the breeder house shared the same PFGE DNA pattern. This study demonstrates the transmission of salmonellae throughout this production environment, from the breeders to their progeny and to the birds ultimately processed for human consumption.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMedDate not supplied

In situ hybridization on blood smears for diagnosis of chicken anemia virus in broiler breeder flocks.

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) infection was suspected in progeny from broiler breeder hens raised in a location that was geographically different from where most pullets were raised for one Georgia production company. These breeder pullets were raised in new or relatively new houses. Progeny from these pullets experienced a 10-fold increase in average daily mortality over progeny from flocks raised in established breeder houses. Lesions in the broilers included severe necrotizing dermatitis, pale bone marrow, and small thymus glands. Infection with CAV was confirmed in the breeders by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indirect immunofluorescence, and in situ hybridization on peripheral blood smears. The in situ hybridization identified three broiler breeder flocks that were actively infected with CAV and were probably the source of infection in broiler flocks.

Animals↗