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Biological control agents for white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in anticipation of the establishment of the Japanese beetle in California.

We tested biological control agents for the control of 3rd-instar scarab turfgrass pests, both for the masked chafer Cyclocephala hirta LeConte and the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman. The former species is endemic in California whereas the latter, although not yet established, constitutes a permanent serious threat to agriculture and horticulture in California. We conducted experiments using C. hirta in California and P. japonica in New Jersey. A field trial conducted in 2 different California turfgrass sites compared the field persistence in the absence of hosts of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subspecies japonensis Buibui strain, the milky disease bacterium, Paenibacillus (=Bacillus) popilliae (Dutky), and the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema kushidai Mamiya and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar to that of the organophosphate diazinon. Soil samples taken 0-70 d after applications were bio-assayed with P. japonica. Only diazinon and the entomopathogenic nematode S. kushidai caused substantial mortality and S. kushidai activity persisted significantly longer than diazinon activity. In greenhouse experiments, combinations of entomopathogenic nematode species usually resulted in additive mortality of scarab larvae. Combinations of S. kushidai and diazinon also resulted in additive mortality. In field trials, the efficacy of H. bacteriophora and especially S. kushidai and S. glaseri, was comparable to that of diazinon over 14-18 d. However, it is likely that at least S. kushidai would have outperformed diazinon over an extended period because of its longer persistence and potential for recycling in the hosts. S. kushidai, should it become commercially available, deserves further examination as an alternative to chemical white grub control especially as a highly compatible component of sustainable turfgrass management.

Animals↗

Differences in extent of genetic introgression between sympatric Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in California and South Africa.

Comparisons of five morphological characters, 12 enzyme electrophoresis profiles, and Wolbachia pipientis infection rates were used to characterize populations of members of the Culex pipiens L. complex in California and South Africa. In South Africa, male phallosome DV/D ratio, male maxillary palp index, branching of siphonal seta 1a, the enzyme locus Mdhp-1, and W. pipientis infection rates proved highly diagnostic for separating Culex quinquefasciatus from Cx. pipiens phenotypes. In Johannesburg, where sympatric members of the Cx. pipiens complex were analyzed as one population, a significant Wahlund Effect was observed in the enzyme loci such as Ao, 6-Pgdh, Mdh-2, and Pgm. In California, all populations of the Cx. pipiens complex were in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium at all polymorphic enzyme loci examined. Additionally, in California, all populations had similar W. pipientis infection rates and appeared morphologically identical (except for DV/D ratio, in extreme north and south). These findings indicate that in South Africa, Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus remain as genetically distinct populations and behave as separate species. Conversely, in California, there is considerable genetic introgression between Cx. pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus, and they behave as a single species.

Animals↗

Molecular and morphometric evidence for separate species of Uncinaria (Nematoda: Ancylostomatidae) in California sea lions and northern fur seals: hypothesis testing supplants verification.

California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) are each believed to host distinct hookworm species (Uncinaria spp.). However, a recent morphometric analysis suggested that a single species parasitizes multiple pinniped hosts, and that the observed differences are host-induced. To explore the systematics of these hookworms and test these competing hypotheses, we obtained nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (D2/D3 28S, D18/D19 28S, and internal transcribed spacer [ITS] regions) from 20 individual hookworms parasitizing California sea lion and northern fur seal pups where their breeding grounds are sympatric. Five individuals from an allopatric population of California sea lions were also sampled for ITS-1 and D18/D19 28S sequences. The 28S D2/D3 sequences showed no diagnostic differences among hookworms sampled from individual sea lions and fur seals, whereas the 28S D18/D19 sequences had one derived (apomorphic) character demarcating hookworms from northern fur seals. ITS sequences were variable for 7 characters, with 4 derived (apomorphic) states in ITS-1 demarcating hookworms from California sea lions. Multivariate analysis of morphometric data also revealed significant differences between nematodes representing these 2 host-associated lineages. These results indicate that these hookworms represent 2 species that are not distributed indiscriminately between these host species, but instead exhibit host fidelity, evolving independently with each respective host species. This evolutionary approach to analyzing sequence data for species delimitation is contrasted with similarity-based methods that have been applied to numerous diagnostic studies of nematode parasites.

Ancylostomatoidea↗

Prevalence and types of disease management programs in community pharmacies in California.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) evaluate the prevalence and types of disease management (DM) programs provided by independent and chain community pharmacies in the state of California, (2) examine the interest among community pharmacists in establishing programs, and (3) assess perceived barriers to developing a successful DM program in community pharmacy. METHOD: An exploratory telephone survey was conducted from February 2003 to February 2004 to collect data from community (primarily independent and chainstore) pharmacies across California. The survey evaluated existence (or lack of) and types of DM programs in community pharmacies in California. Pharmacies that did not have a DM program were queried on their interest and decisionmaking authority in establishing new programs. Pharmacies that had existing DM programs were sent a follow-up survey to determine the details of the DM programs, including challenges in establishing DM programs, reimbursement issues, and program effectiveness. RESULTS: The sample comprised 1,875 pharmacies, 60 (3.2%) of which had existing DM programs. There were significantly more independent pharmacies (37) with DM programs than chain-store pharmacies (23), P<0.001. There was a statistically significant difference between independent and chain pharmacies in operating hours, number of pharmacist and nonpharmacist staff members per day, and proximity to a clinic or hospital (P<0.05). The most common type of DM program was diabetes, and the second most common type was asthma. Limited time, limited staff, and limited reimbursement were the 3 most commonly reported barriers to establishing new DM programs. About 20% of the sample that did not have a DM program reported interest in developing DM programs, and an equal percentage reported having the decision-making authority to start a program. There were no differences between independent and chain pharmacies on interest (P = 0.234); however, there were significantly more chain pharmacists that did not have the decision-making authority. Of the 18 of 60 pharmacies (30%) that had DM programs and responded to the follow-up survey, 9 respondents (50%) reported monitoring medications as part of their DM program. Fifteen of 18 (83%) perceived lack of reimbursement as a challenge to implementing DM programs. Only 2 pharmacies reported an increase in revenue as a gain from the program, and 2 reported cost savings. Improved patient satisfaction was reported by 16 of 18 respondents (89%) with DM programs, but only 8 (44%) reported that patient satisfaction was being measured. CONCLUSION: The study found that the prevalence of DM programs was very low among California community pharmacies and the interest in developing these programs moderate, attributable to several barriers such as lack of time, lack of reimbursement, and lack of trained personnel. Some of these barriers could be addressed to encourage the development and proliferation of DM programs that would improve patient outcomes and expand practice roles of pharmacists.

California↗

Human and sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi infection in California.

In August 1982, a 56-year-old woman from Lake Don Pedro, California, developed acute Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis). She had not traveled to areas outside the United States with endemic Chagas' disease, she had never received blood transfusions, and she did not use intravenous drugs. Trypanosoma cruzi cultured from the patient's blood had isoenzyme patterns and growth characteristics similar to T. cruzi belonging to zymodeme Z1. Triatoma protracta (a vector of Trypanosoma cruzi) infected with T. cruzi were found near the patient's home, a trypanosome resembling T. cruzi was cultured from the blood of two of 19 ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi), and six of 10 dogs had antibody to T. cruzi. A serosurvey of three groups of California residents revealed antibody to T. cruzi by complement fixation in six of 237 (2.5 per cent) individuals living near the patient and in 12 of 1,706 (0.7 per cent) individuals living in a community 20 miles northeast of the patient's home, but in only one of 637 (0.2 per cent) blood donors from the San Francisco Bay area. This is the first case of indigenously acquired Chagas' disease reported from California and the first case recognized in the United States since 1955. This investigation suggests that transmission of sylvatic Trypanosoma cruzi infection to humans occurs in California but that Chagas' disease in humans is rare.

Adolescent↗

First-year impact of the 1989 California cigarette tax increase on cigarette consumption.

We employed a time series design to evaluate the impact of the 1989 California cigarette tax increase on cigarette consumption in California. Adult per capita consumption data from 1980 to 1990 were analyzed for California and the United States. Trend data indicated a sharp drop in California cigarette consumption coincident with the tax increase. Time-series regression analyses support this observation, and suggest that a 5% to 7% decline in consumption is attributable to the tax increase.

California↗

Alcohol-related mortality in California, 1980 to 1989.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the impact of alcohol use and misuse on mortality in California during the 1980s. METHODS: Alcohol-Related Disease Impact estimation software and California vital statistics data were used to calculate alcohol-related mortality, mortality rates, and years of potential life lost. Statistical tests were applied to detect significant differences in death rates by sex and race/ethnicity. Time trends in death rates for a subset of alcohol-defined diagnoses were examined using regression analysis. RESULTS: An estimated 6.2% of all deaths for California residents during 1989 were related to alcohol, making it one of the top 10 leading causes of death. Injury diagnoses were major contributors to the total estimated number of alcohol-related deaths and years of potential life lost before age 65. Alcohol-related mortality rates were significantly higher for men and for Blacks. However, age-adjusted death rates for alcohol-defined diagnoses declined significantly from 1980 to 1989. CONCLUSIONS: A structured data-base approach to analyzing mortality data represents an important advance for alcohol research that has implications for policy and program planning. Future refinements and enhancements to the disease impact estimation methodology will add precision to determining how alcohol use and misuse affect public health in California.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Farm-related fatalities among children in California, 1980 to 1989.

To evaluate farm-related deaths among children in California and to identify specific risk factors, this study used death certificate tapes to identify 40 farm-related deaths among children under age 15 in California for 1980 to 1989. Mortality rates and odds ratios for cause-specific unintentional farm deaths were calculated. While California's farm-related mortality rate was lower than those in the midwestern states studied, the rate for Hispanic boys was 70% higher than that for non-Hispanics. The odds of death from machinery (81.3), animals (10.1), electricity (5.2), and nontraffic motor vehicles (3.4) were significantly greater than those in nonfarm locations; those from drowning were significantly lower (0.2). Specific factors associated with the lower California mortality rate need to be identified.

Accidents↗

Secular trends in adolescent never smoking from 1990 to 1999 in California: an age-period-cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed age, time period, and cohort effects on trends in adolescent cigarette smoking in California from 1990 to 1999. METHODS: Data from subjects aged 12 to 17 years (n = 26 536; 50.4% male) from the California Tobacco Survey and the California Youth Tobacco Survey were analyzed, and never smokers were used as the outcome measure. RESULTS: The proportion of never smokers increased from 60% for males and 66% for females in 1990 to around 70% for both sexes in 1999. Respondents were more likely to be never smokers if born in 1978 or later (i.e., aged 12 years or younger in 1990, when most tobacco control programs started in California). CONCLUSIONS: The statewide antitobacco programs prevented adolescents from starting to smoke, primarily through a cohort effect.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of the volume of scoliosis surgery between spine and pediatric orthopaedic fellowship-trained surgeons in New York and California.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the optimal fellowship training experience for surgeons who perform scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients. While many studies have demonstrated that higher surgical volumes are associated with superior outcomes, the volume of scoliosis procedures performed by pediatric orthopaedic-trained surgeons as opposed to spine surgery-trained surgeons has not been reported. METHODS: Validated, statewide hospital discharge databases from the states of New York and California were utilized to examine the volume of spinal fusion procedures performed for the treatment of scoliosis in patients who were eighteen years of age or less. Fellowship training of surgeons in New York who had performed more than fifty procedures from 1992 to 2001 (that is, more than five procedures per year) was determined, and the operative volumes of surgeons who had received pediatric orthopaedic as opposed to spine fellowship training were compared. Hospitals in California with either type of fellowship program were identified, and the operative volumes of hospitals and fellows with pediatric orthopaedic or spine fellowship training from 1995 to 1999 were compared. RESULTS: Among the 228 surgeons in New York who had performed one or more spinal fusion procedures in patients eighteen years of age or less from 1992 to 2001, only 13% (thirty) had performed more than five procedures per year. However, these thirty surgeons accounted for 75% (3858) of all 5136 procedures in this age-group. Surgeons who had completed a pediatric orthopaedic fellowship had performed a mean of 14.5 procedures per physician per year, whereas those who had completed a spine fellowship had performed a mean of 10.5 procedures per physician per year. Surgeons who had not completed either type of fellowship had performed a mean of 14.4 procedures per physician per year. In California, the mean annual volume of scoliosis procedures from 1995 to 1999 was 59.0 procedures per year at hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs and 15.7 procedures per year at those with spine surgery programs. The mean number of procedures per fellow at hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs was 31.6 procedures per fellow per year, and the mean number at hospitals with spine surgery programs was 12.7 procedures per fellow per year. Over time, there was a significant increase in the number of procedures per year at hospitals with both types of fellowship programs, but the percentage increase was greater for hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs than for hospitals with spine surgery fellowship programs (45.2% compared with 13.5%). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that, on the average, a large number of surgeons in New York performed five scoliosis procedures per year or fewer. Among higher-volume surgeons in New York, those with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship training performed more scoliosis procedures on children and adolescents than those with orthopaedic spine training did. In California, the volume of scoliosis procedures at hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs was nearly four times greater than that at hospitals with spine fellowship programs and the volume of procedures per fellow was more than two times greater, and this disparity is widening over time. These data are an important element in establishing what type of fellowship best prepares surgeons for scoliosis surgery.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of Salmonella spp in selected birds captured on California dairies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp in wild birds commonly found on California dairies. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 7 selected species of birds were captured on 9 dairies in Kings and Tulare counties, California. PROCEDURE: Birds were captured (using traps and nets) and euthanatized, and the entire gastrointestinal tract was removed. Contents of the gastrointestinal tract were subjected to culture for Salmonella spp. RESULTS: 892 birds were captured, and Salmonella spp were isolated from 22 birds. The prevalence by dairy ranged from 0.7 to 16.7%, whereas the prevalence by bird species ranged from 1.2 to 3.2%. Cowbirds and English sparrows had the highest prevalence of Salmonella organisms. Five serotypes of Salmonella organisms were isolated, including Meleagridis, Montevideo, Muenster, Typhimurium, and an untyped serotype. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of our findings, birds that commonly inhabit California dairies harbor Salmonella organisms. However, because of the low prevalence of Salmonella organisms in birds and the Salmonella serotypes isolated, birds are not important reservoirs of Salmonella organisms on California dairies.

Animals↗

Bear Canyon virus: an arenavirus naturally associated with the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus).

Thirty-four rodents captured in southern California were studied to increase our knowledge of the arenaviruses indigenous to the western United States. An infectious arenavirus was isolated from 5 of 27 California mice but none of the 7 other rodents. Analyses of viral nucleocapsid protein gene sequence data indicated that the isolates from the California mice are strains of a novel Tacaribe serocomplex virus (proposed name "Bear Canyon") that is phylogenetically most closely related to Whitewater Arroyo and Tamiami viruses, the only other Tacaribe serocomplex viruses known to occur in North America. The discovery of Bear Canyon virus is the first unequivocal evidence that the virus family Arenaviridae is naturally associated with the rodent genus Peromyscus and that a Tacaribe serocomplex virus occurs in California.

Animals↗

Time-space clustering of human brucellosis, California, 1973-1992.

Infection with Brucella spp. continues to pose a human health risk in California despite great strides in eradicating the disease from domestic animals. Clustering of human cases in time and space has important public health implications for understanding risk factors and sources of infection. Temporal-spatial clustering of human brucellosis in California for the 20-year period 1973-1992 was evaluated by the Ederer-Myers-Mantel, Moran's I, and population-adjusted Moran's I procedures. Cases were clustered in concentrated agricultural regions in the first 5-year interval (1973-1977). Time-space clustering of human brucellosis cases in California late in the 20-year study period may reflect the distribution of Hispanic populations. Public health programs in California should focus on educating Hispanic populations about the risk of consuming dairy products, such as soft cheeses, made from unpasteurized milk.

Animals↗

Reemerging leptospirosis, California.

Leptospirosis is a reemerging infectious disease in California. Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis throughout the world, though it is infrequently diagnosed in the continental United States. From 1982 to 2001, most reported California cases occurred in previously healthy young adult white men after recreational exposures to contaminated freshwater. We report five recent cases of human leptospirosis acquired in California, including the first documented common-source outbreak of human leptospirosis acquired in this state, and describe the subsequent environmental investigation. Salient features in the California cases include high fever with uniform renal impairment and mild hepatitis. Because leptospirosis can progress rapidly if untreated, this reemerging infection deserves consideration in febrile patients with a history of recreational freshwater exposure, even in states with a low reported incidence of infection.

Adolescent↗

Serological reactions of fractionated hamster immunoglobulins with California group viruses.

Immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G (early and late) were separated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation from single inoculation hamster immune sera prepared against La Crosse, California encephalitis and snowshoe hare viruses. Fractionated antibodies were tested for differences in serological specificity by hemagglutination-inhibition, neutralization, and complement-fixation reactions. None of the immunoglobulins demonstrated a consistent pattern of superior specificity in serological reactions with closely related California group viruses. Results were most uniform in the neutralization test in that immunoglobulin M and early and late immunoglobulin G all showed similar cross-reactivities. By hemagglutination-inhibition and complement-fixation, a given immunoglobulin type from one serum would show good specificity while the same type from another serum would be quite cross-reactive. Immunoglobulin M neutralizing antibody fractions fixed complement as effectively as late immunoglobulin G neutralizing antibody fractions. Unlike results obtained by others with flavivirus immune sera, the immunoglobulin M fractions from California group immune sera were not more specific than immunoglobulin G fractions by neutralization, hemagglutination-inhibition, or complement-fixation tests. Single inoculation hamster antisera, prepared to California group viruses and collected late (28-30 days), were as specific in the neutralization test as antisera collected early (7-10 days).

Animals↗

Survey for evidence of Colorado tick fever virus outside of the known endemic area in California.

A virus very similar or identical to Colorado tick fever (CTF) virus was recovered from the blood clot of one of 104 black-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus californicus) examined during a survey for various zoonotic agents in mammals and ticks from the University of California, Hopland Field Station, Mendocino County, California, 1974--79. This is the first reported isolation of a CTF-like virus from L. californicus, and only the second time such a virus has been found in northwestern California. Mendocino County is located far outside the known distributional ranges of the most common mammalian hosts of CTF virus and of Dermacentor andersoni, the only proven tick vector for man. The viral isolate is very similar to a CTF-like virus previously recovered from the blood and spleen of a western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) from San Luis Obispo County, an area also outside of the previously-known CTF area. Virus was not isolated from 14 additional species of mammals (354 specimens) or from eight species of ticks (4,487 individuals), but CTF-neutralizing antibodies were detected in 28 of 771 (3.6%) sera from seven of 15 mammalian species including significant titers (greater than or equal to 1:8) in two species and one subspecies not previously reported as natural hosts, i.e., brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii), pinyon mouse (P. truei), and Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). CTF indirect immunofluorescent antibodies also were detected in 26 of 129 (20.2%) sera belonging to four of five mammalian species tested. Neutralizing antibodies were found in sera of deer from other localities in Mendocino County, from a deer mouse from Napa County, and from a brush rabbit from Monterey County as well. These findings suggest that a virus identical or similar to CTF virus is widespread in northwestern-westcentral California, and that surveillance for human cases of CTF or a similar disease should be extended to cover this region.

Animals↗

Reservoir competence of four chaparral-dwelling rodents for Borrelia burgdorferi in California.

Aspects of the reservoir competence of four rodents for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, were evaluated in California. Rodents were live-trapped and ear-punch biopsies were cultured during each season. A second set of biopsies was cultured from representative individuals after 2-3 weeks of captivity and the results of culturing biopsies taken on both dates were compared with the results of feeding Ixodes pacificus larvae on hosts xenodiagnostically. The prevalence of infections did not differ significantly between dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes) and California kangaroo rats (Dipodomys californicus) nor among seasons. Combined results of the three tests showed that 85.7% of dusky-footed woodrats (n = 21) and 78.6% of California kangaroo rats (n = 14) were infected with B. burgdorferi. In contrast, only 22.2% of brush mice (Peromyscus boylii) (n = 14) and 7.1% of pinyon mice (P. truei) (n = 9) were infected. The sensitivity of culturing ear-punch biopsies as an assay for borrelial infection was significantly greater when biopsies were taken after a short period of captivity (0.89) rather than on the day of capture (0.52). Tick xenodiagnosis, in which I. pacificus was used as the vector, revealed borrelial infections in 90.3% of infected rodents. Spirochetes were observed in 37.7% of 239, 45.2% of 155, 60.0% of 10, and 7.1% of 14 cultures of nymphal I. pacificus fed as larvae on naturally infected woodrats, kangaroo rats, brush mice, and a pinyon mouse, respectively. The mean prevalence of infection in xenodiagnostic ticks varied significantly among host species with a greater proportion of ticks infected while feeding on woodrats and kangaroo rats than on mice. This study reconfirms previous reports that implicated woodrats and kangaroo rats as reservoirs of B. burgdorferi in California.

Animals↗

California Liaison Committee for Podiatric Medical Education and Training.

Podiatric medicine faces some significant challenges that threaten its future growth and development. The California Liaison Committee for Podiatric Medical Education and Training exemplifies an innovative approach to meeting these challenges. The California Liaison Committee has established a dialogue among California's college-based and community-based podiatric medical educators, licensing board members, and private practitioners. The work of the California Liaison Committee, unprecedented in the state, effectively facilitates the curriculum transformation process through cooperation and collaboration.

California↗