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Biomedical subjects

R Iftimovici

Publications and source records attributed to R Iftimovici.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Preliminary note on the circulation of some human respiratory viruses by wild birds].

With a view to detecting infections and carriage of human respiratory viruses in wild birds, 349 serum samples collected from 21 bird species -- sedentary ones and birds with large or limited migration areas -- were investigated. The following antigens were used: influenza virus A/Hong Kong 1/68 (H3N2)), A2 England 42/73 (H3N2), A2 Victoria 3/75 (H3N2), A/New Jersey 8/76 (HswN1), B/Hong Kong 5/72; parainfluenza virus type I Sendai and type II, coronavirus OC/43. An elevated incidence of antibodies to A2 Victoria 3/75 (H3N2) and parainfluenza type I virus was detected in herons (Ardea cinerea, Nyctycorax myctycorax). The high incidence of antibodies to B/Hong Kong 5/72 (30.7% of the samples exhibited significant titers) found in the crow (Corvus corone sardonius) is ascribed to the fact that this bird is carnivorus, feeding on corpses of mammals.

Animals↗

Investigations on the presence of antibodies to several flaviviruses in humans and some domestic animals in a biotope with a high frequency of migratory birds.

Data are reported on the presence of HAI antibodies to several flaviviruses (tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile, and Ntaya viruses) in humans and some domestic animals in a biotope with a high frequency of migratory birds. The results obtained prove the presence in humans of specific antibodies in a proportion of 11.8% to tick-borne encephalitis and of 25.5% to West Nile and Ntaya antigens. Among domestic animals it was only possible to detect antibodies to West Nile (4.9% in sheep, 4.1% in cattle, and 12% in goats) and to Ntaya antigens (1.9% in sheep, 1.6% in cattle, 8% in goats, and 13.9% in swine).

Animals↗

Investigations on the presence of antibodies to several alphaviruses in humans and domestic animals of a region with elevated epidemiological potential.

The paper reports on serological results obtained by HAI tests against several alphaviruses - eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), western equine encephalitis (WEE), Chikungunya, Midlebourg, Semliki Forest, Sindbis, and Ilheus viruses - carried out in humans and some domestic animals in a region with an intensive circulation of migratory birds. It was possible to detect in human antibodies to EEE, WEE, and Sindbis viruses, but in very low proportions (1.8%, 0.4%, and 0.6%, respectively). Serological results obtained in animals were practically negative: antibodies to EEE virus were found only in one out of 93 horses investigated.

Animals↗

[Not Available].

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Academies and Institutes↗

Investigations on the presence of antibodies to alphaviruses, flaviviruses, Bunyavirus and Kemerovo virus in humans and some domestic animals.

The presence of antibodies to some alphaviruses, flaviviruses, bunyaviruses and orbiviruses was studied in the sera from humans and domestic animals of biotopes "C" and "T" in the south-east of Romania. Specific antibodies were found in humans to 3 alphaviruses (eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis and Sindbis), in a very low proportion, and to 3 flaviviruses (tickborne encephalitis, West Nile and Ntaya), at a much higher percentage. Very low percentages of antibodies to Bunyavirus and Kemerovo virus were also detected. The proportion of antibodies to flaviruses (tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile and Ntaya) detected in domestic animals (sheep, cattle and swine) is much lower than that found in humans of the same biotope ("T").

Animals↗

[Viral pollution studies of water environments].

Virus pollution was studied in 734 water samples collected from the Dîmboviţa River (310), lakes inside the town of Bucharest (136) and swimming pools (288). The results showed that the works carried out these last years to regularize the Dîmboviţa led to a reduction of the virus pollution rate from 16.6-26.9% in 1984 to 4.16-5% in 1988. As for the lake and swimming pool waters, the pollution rate is directly proportional to the applied general hygiene measures. In summer, in drained lakes strictly controlled from the domestic and industrial sewage discharge point of view, the pollution rate was no higher than 6%, while in the lakes receiving sewage the frequency of isolations was between 12.5 and 18.75%. The same situation was found for swimming pools. A microepidemics of blepharoconjunctivitis was recorded in 1988 at a sport base: viruses were isolated from 20% of the water samples collected from its swimming pool, while virus pollution was about zero in the swimming pool water of some big hotels in Bucharest.

Fresh Water↗

Serological investigations on the presence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus in domestic animals and birds and in humans.

The presence of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus was investigated in serum samples from domestic animals (217 from swine, 214 from cattle, 179 from goats and 161 from sheep) and birds (214 from geese and 171 from ducks), as well as from 511 apparently healthy subjects of a biotope with particular ornithological and entomological characteristics. The proportion of positive reactions was very low in cattle (1.4%) and goats (1.1%) and more elevated in humans (11.3%). All the serum samples from swine, sheep, geese and ducks gave negative serological results.

Animals↗

Serological investigations concerning the presence of antibodies to arboviruses in wild birds.

Serum samples from 8 species of migratory birds (Ardea cinerea, Plegadis falcinellus, Anas querquedula, Anser albifrons, Gavia arctica, Fulica atra, Phalacrocorax carbo, Larus minutus) were tested for the presence of hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibodies to alpha- and flaviviruses. HAI antibodies to alphaviruses (eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, Sindbis, Middelburg, Semliki Forest) ranging in titer from 1/20 to 1/160 were detected in 46 serum samples; 22 serum samples gave positive reactions (titers: 1/20 - 1/80) to flaviviruses (West Nile, Ntaya). In certain cases antibodies to several antigens could be made evident in the same serum sample. The serological results are discussed in the light of the birds' migration pattern.

Animals↗