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PubMed2002

Causes of mortality in reintroduced Eurasian lynx in Switzerland.

Seventy-two lynx, found dead in the Swiss Alps and the Jura Mountains (Switzerland) from 1987-99, were evaluated to determine the cause of death. Seventy-two per cent (52/72) of all animals died because of noninfectious diseases or causes such as vehicular collision and poaching. Eighteen percent (13/72) died from infectious diseases, including some which could have been transferred to the lynx from domestic animals or other wild animals such as panleukopenia and sarcoptic mange. If only radio-tagged animals (included in a monitoring program) were taken into consideration, the percentage of mortality caused by infectious diseases rose to 40%, indicating that infections might be underestimated in randomly found mortality events. We hypothesize that even a few cases of infections in a small population like the lynx, which are additionally threatened by noninfectious causes, may threaten the long term survival of the population.

Accidents↗
PubMed2002

Mycoplasma conjunctivae infection is not maintained in alpine chamois in eastern Switzerland.

The occurrence of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) was assessed in alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra) in Grisons (Switzerland) from 1950 to 1999. The first IKC outbreaks were reported in the 1950's. Since then, the number of affected subpopulations constantly increased and, by 1999, IKC outbreaks were reported in 39 of 51 (77%) chamois sub-populations. From 1992-99, a total of 243 chamois which died of the consequences of IKC were recorded. The number of cases differed between years, and a distinct seasonal trend was observed. Infectious keratoconjunctivitis was more common during summer and autumn, with 48% of the cases recorded in August-October. Juveniles (< 4 yr of age) were mostly represented. To verify the presence of Mycoplasma conjunctivae in chamois we analyzed conjunctival swabs taken from animals affected with IKC. Among a sample of 28 affected chamois, M. conjunctivae was identified 14 times (50%). An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect specific M. conjunctivae antibodies in sera of alpine chamois with IKC. We performed a serologic investigation to assess whether M. conjunctivae infection is self-maintained in the chamois population in Grisons. In subpopulations with IKC oubreaks, seroprevalence was low (8%). Seroprevalence was even lower in subpopulations with recent IKC outbreaks (3%). We concluded that the M. conjunctivae infection is not self-maintained in alpine chamois in Grisons. The agent may originate in domestic sheep living in proximity to chamois during summer. Control of IKC in chamois should consider immunoprophylaxis in sheep or limiting interspecific transmission of M. conjunctivae.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Echinococcus multilocularis in a European beaver from Switzerland.

Infection with the larval stage of the cestode parasite Echinococcus multilocularis was diagnosed in a European beaver (Castor fiber) in central Switzerland. The animal was hit, run over by a car, and died of trauma. It was in normal body condition and no signs of disease were seen. At necropsy, multiple cystic structures up to 1 cm in diameter were found in the liver adjacent to the hilus. Within the parasite vesicles, multiple protoscolices were visible. The species was determined to be Echinococcus multilocularis by upon polymerase chain reaction and direct immunofluorescence with MAbG11-FITC. This is the first report of Echinococcus multilocularis in European beaver.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1976

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis: an autochtonous case in Switzerland?].

Different kinds of Phlebotomus, which are responsible for the infectiousness of cutaneous leishmaniasis, have been identified at different places in Europe. The pathogenic agent, Leishmania tropica, essentially linked to climatic circumstances, seems slowly to gain ground north of the Mediterranean Sea. The chance of having an autochthonous case in Ticino (Southern Switzerland) is existing. A treatment with Rifampicin has been successful.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Molecular and immunodiagnostic studies of bovine neosporosis in Switzerland].

Cyst-forming coccidia may cause significant losses in livestock, primarily due to abortion, loss of young animals and neuromuscular diseases. Rather recently, Neospora caninum has been recognized as one of the major protozoal abortion-inducing parasites in cattle. The present study addressed the performance of different diagnostic tools (in vitro-cultivation; histology; immunohistochemistry; serology; PCR) suitable for the direct or indirect detection of N. caninum. By PCR, Neospora-DNA was detected in 24 brains (29%) from 83 bovine abortion, many of these brains were simultaneously characterized by histopathological findings typical for a protozoal, cerebral parasitosis. The diagnostic methods were furthermore assessed using samples of different tissues and body fluids from three experimentally Neospora-infected pregnant cows and their foetuses. The diaplacental passage of N. caninum to the foetus was successful in two of the three cases. In these two cases, PCR was positive for different foetal organs and, additionally, for the abomasal and amniotic fluid. The successfully infected cows developed anti-Neospora serum antibodies between 10 and 17 days post infection, foetuses remained serologically negative in all cases. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated the usefulness of PCR, complemented by serology, for the specific diagnosis of bovine neosporosis. Such tests may prove suitable to perform epidemiological investigations. Taken together, our data indicated that prenatal neosporosis may be an important cause of infectious bovine abortion in Switzerland.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1976

[Normogram study: representative data on the state of health of male industrial workers in northern Switzerland. 1. Report: anamnesis and health behavior].

To obtain representative data about the health of industrial workers in nothern Switzerland, 1260 men from 44 plants have been examined. At the time of our study, 21% were under treatemnt by a doctor and 52% had so been 1-3 times during the previous year. 44% hat at some time in the past been patients in a surgical department, 13% in a department for internal medicine and 29% in a department for special diseases. During the previous year 39% reported loss of working days through illness. In 13%, working days had been lost through accidents. 48% were smokers, 38% had never smoked, and 14% had stopped smoking. Alcohol was consumed daily by 37%, three times a week by 30% and once a week by 18%; 11% drank rarely and 4% never, 16% took medicines often, 40% rarely and 44% never. The results of the study are classified by 5-year-age groups and compared.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[The dyspnea syndrome of the newborn in Switzerland. Results of a cooperative study within the framework of the Swiss Neonatology Group].

The Swiss Neonatology Group was founded in 1972 to strengthen cooperation between obstetricians and pediatricians in this country. To this end a collaborative study was made of the incidence of respiratory distress syndrom in Switzerland during 1974. Almost every neonatal unit of the country participated, and the study thus covered the problem cases taken from approximately 90% of all Swiss newborns. 30% of the newborns hospitalized in neonatal units (or 2% of all Swiss newborns) developed a respiratory distress syndrome. 16% of these died. One third of all the cases of respiratory distress and two thirds of the deaths were due to hyaline membrane disease, which mainly occurred in prematures. The other cases of respiratory distress were divided between aspiration, transient respiratory distress and other pulmonary disorders. 31% of the newborns with respiratory distress syndrome underwent mechanical ventilation, more than half of these having hyaline membrane disease. The success already achieved by modern perinatology looks hopeful for the future.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

[Brief history of recent hemp cultivation in Switzerland and subsequent medico-legal problems resulting from hemp cultivation].

In March 1995, a decision about cultivation of cannabis was issued by the Swiss Federal Offices of Public Health, Police and Agriculture in order to satisfy the growing interest of farmers and other people in hemp farming. It pointed out that 1)... each hemp plant contains THC and must be therefore considered a drug, 2)... no permission is required for those who grow hemp without the intention to produce drugs ... meaning that the choice of the plant variety was not restricted to those which are characterized by a low THC concentration and grown in a few countries belonging to the European Union. Claiming that natural hemp must contain significant amounts of THC and thanks to the Swiss legislation, areas dedicated to hemp cultivation develop considerably. Most hemp plants which are submitted to our laboratories by the police for THC quantification belong to the drug-type. Nowadays, a great deal of goods (food and beverages, cosmetics, drugs) made of hemp are marketed in Switzerland. Strong suspicions exist however that several of these products could be used as a screen for the illegal market of cannabis. For instance, despite financial support from the state, fiber hemp cultivation remains unsuccessful. No advantage with regard to seed productivity, edible seed and essential oils qualities and yields have been found for drug hemp over fiber hemp by agricultural research stations up to now. Several clues about the possible illicit use of hemp goods rich in THC, especially hemp tea made of flower tops and "therapeutic" pillows filled with cannabis exist. Recently, two Federal edits were issued in order to restrict the selling of hemp seedlings and of hemp foods and beverages to those containing only low amounts of THC. However, the marketing of hemp plants used for decorating remains free partly explaining the recent success of these "beautiful" plants. Broadly speaking, the Swiss and European legislations about hemp have approached mutually during the last years.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1999

[Quality standards for hospital hygiene in intermediate and large hospitals in Switzerland: a recommended concept].

The incidence of nosocomial infections is one of the most important quality indicators in health care. It increases the economical burden, augments morbidity, lengthens hospital stay, and is associated with a high mortality rate. Infection control programs are designed to minimize such adverse events. An effective infection control program can reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections by over 30%. It is regarded as among the most cost-efficient medical interventions available in modern public health. The national law for health insurance (KVG) makes quality in health care also a legal issue. This law enforces quality assurance on a scientific basis. In Switzerland there are no national guidelines to define the nature and extent of infection control in health care institutions as in many other European countries. In the United States quality standards are part of accreditation of any health care institution. Evaluating scientific evidence and international experience this article provides the rationale for a quality standard for infection control in Swiss hospitals. It features three general rules and five elements of structural quality. The recommendations are: (1) Every hospital must have a system to control nosocomial infection in patients, care givers and visitors. (2) This program consists of defined elements of structural quality. (3) The program is permanently being improved in its quality. The basic elements are: (1) infection control committee, (2) infection control team, (3) guidelines, (4) surveillance, (5) infrastructure. The feasability and impact of this standard has to be evaluated.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1999

Concept on health promotion about the unemployed in Switzerland.

Unemployment is a relatively new phenomena for Switzerland. Compared with other countries our unemployment rate of approximately 4% is rather low. Among the unemployed we found similar health problems as in other countries. The health situation of the unemployed forces us to take more notice of their problems. In our federalist country many national, cantonal and local institutions are treating social and health questions, but no one is responsible for the health problems of the unemployed, resulting in ineffective interventions. In order to change this situation we have developed a national concept of health promotion for the unemployed and are seeking to implement it. Three areas of health promotion for the unemployed and their families: Services within existing, and if need, newly created institutions, which can range from counselling to triage and further referral; Health modules in existing occupational programs and formation courses as an introduction to the health problems of the unemployed; Special health courses for the unemployed with in depth treatment of health questions. Realisation steps of the concept: Sensitisation of the responsible institutions and persons; Systematic documentation of existing resources and structures; Elaboration of the course concepts and documents; Carrying out of pilot projects; Set-up of an infrastructure on the national, cantonal and local level.

Health Promotion↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemiology of overweight in Switzerland: results of the Swiss National Health Survey 1992-93].

UNLABELLED: In many western countries more than half of the population is considered overweight (BMI > or = 25). METHODS: Data from the first national representative health survey for Switzerland (conducted 1992/93), including 7930 men and 7358 women (response rate 71%) aged 15 and over, were used. Means and percentiles of body weight, body height and BMI were calculated for men and women of different age groups. Overweight was defined as a BMI > or = 25, graded as overweight grade I (25.00-29.99), grade II (30.00-39.99), and grade III (BMI > or = 40.00) and analyzed according to gender, age, etc. RESULTS: Mean values for height decreases with increasing age, and body weight increases up to the age of 55-64 years in men and women. BMI values of all percentiles and age groups are lower for women than for men with the exception of age groups of 55 years or older and the 90 percentile. The prevalence of grade I overweight is 33.1% for men and 17.1% for women, of grade II overweight 5.8% and 4.5%, and of grade III overweight 0.3% and 0.2% respectively. Overall prevalence of overweight is 21.8% for women and 39.2% for men. Increasing age is associated with a higher prevalence of overweight. The prevalence of overweight in men increases with age up to 55-64 years, then levels off. In women, prevalence continues to rise. Overweight is more common in men of all age groups than in women. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic studies of the national prevalence of overweight are essential for monitoring the magnitude, and changes in the magnitude, of this serious public health problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Results of a combined adult-child liver transplantation in Switzerland].

Between July 1987 and August 1998, 173 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) were performed in Geneva. We studied a homogeneous group of 114 OLT performed during the 6 years between 1992 and 1997 on 107 patients (89 adults and 18 children; 7 retransplantations). Although Geneva has the largest transplantation programme in Switzerland and is the only centre performing paediatric liver transplantation, the mean number of procedures per year was 19, corresponding to only a small transplantation programme in Europe. It could be reasonably questioned, therefore, whether Swiss patients are not at a disadvantage as compared with patients from European countries with larger liver transplantation centres. Although the perioperative morbidity was still considerable, the results of this series -90% of actuarial patient survival at 1 and 2 years and 84% at 5 years-compare favourably with the results of the European Liver Transplantation Registry: 76% of actuarial patient survival at 1 year and 65% at 5 years. In this series, 95 patients (89%) were alive on January 1, 1998. As no patient was refused on the severity of the liver disease and as more than 10% of OLT were performed as emergencies, a bias due to the selection of the best cases cannot explain the good results. This series demonstrates that a small liver transplantation centre may obtain results that compare favourably with the results of large European centres, and that Swiss patients are not at a disadvantage as compared with patients of other European countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Classical swine fever in wild boars in Switzerland].

In May 1998, wild boars with classical swine fever (CSF) symptoms were detected in the southern part (Canton Ticino) of Switzerland. CSF virus was isolated from the submitted samples and RT-PCR followed by direct nucleotide sequencing of the 5' non-translated region showed that this virus was identical to the isolate previously recognized in wild boars from the area of Varese (Italy). In most animals, antibodies to CSF virus were detected as well. An immediate measurement was taken by limiting the movement of pigs and identifying both risk and surveillance zones. In order not to disturb potentially infected wild boars within their habitat a complete hunting prohibition for 2 months was enforced. The different possibilities of the control of CSF outbreaks in wild boars are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The day hospital for children in Zurich, Switzerland, and the concept of dialogics.

The only day hospital for children and adolescents in the German-speaking part of Switzerland is located in Zurich. It has been operating since 1975 within the philosophical principles of dialogics. In this paper the author describes in detail the concept of dialogics as it relates to the beliefs and practices in carrying out an integrated therapeutic environment for children and their parents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Sports activity, physical activity and fitness of 9- to 19-year-old teenagers in the canton of Vaud (Switzerland).

BACKGROUND: The protective effects of physical activity and fitness on cardiovascular health have clearly been shown among adults and, to a lesser extent, among children and adolescents. However, data are currently lacking pertaining to children and adolescents living in Switzerland. OBJECTIVES: To gather data on the physical fitness and physical/sports activity of children and adolescents aged 9 to 19 years. METHODS: From September 1996 until March 1997, 3540 subjects (1778 girls, 1762 boys) from the canton of Vaud were enrolled in a multifaceted study which included a battery of 7 tests measuring different components of fitness, anthropometric measures and a self-administered questionnaire assessing physical activity, health and lifestyles. RESULTS: Most of the respondents practise sports on a regular basis but boys engage in physical and sports activities much more often than girls: 75% of boys versus 56% of girls spent at least one hour a day in activities inducing sweating, an index of moderate to vigorous physical activity (p < 0.001). Depending on the grade, 56 to 74% of girls and 62 to 88% of boys reported participation in sports clubs (p < 0.01); current participation ranges from 33 to 46% among girls and 64 to 69% among boys (p < 0.001). Participation in physical and sports activities was lower after age 15 than before, and also lower among girls than among boys. As far as fitness is concerned, girls exhibit greater flexibility than boys, while the latter exhibit greater strength and endurance, especially after age 15. Calculated values for the BMI and VO2max are within the ranges published in the international literature for both sexes. CONCLUSION: Programmes and strategies which aim to increase physical activities should be gender-specific and should especially target adolescents aged over 15. Physical/sports activities and fitness could and should be monitored using both a battery of tests and self-administered questionnaires.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Agreed minutes; meeting between the Food and Drug Administration and the Health Authorities of Switzerland. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Notice.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is providing notice of agreed minutes between FDA and health authorities of Switzerland. The purpose of the agreed minutes is to continue and enhance cooperation in the fields of drugs, medical devices, and biological products consistent with FDA's framework for achieving mutual recognition of good manufacturing practices inspections.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

[Quality assurance in intensive care: the situation in Switzerland].

The movement for quality in medicine is starting to take on the dimensions of a crusade. Quite logically it has also reached the intensive care community. Due to their complex multidisciplinary functioning and because of the high costs involved, ICUs are model services reflecting the overall situation in our hospitals. The situation of Swiss intensive care is particularly interesting, because for over 25 years standards for design and staffing of Swiss ICUs have been in effect and were enforced via onsite visits by the Swiss Society of Intensive Care without government involvement. Swiss intensive care thus defined its structures long before the word "accreditation" had even been used in this context. While intensive care in Switzerland is practised in clearly defined, well equipped and adequately staffed units, much less is known about process quality and outcomes of these services. Statistics on admissions, length of stay and length of mechanical ventilation, as well as severity data based on a simple classification system, are collected nationwide and allow some limited insight into the overall process of care. Results of intensive care are not systematically assessed. In response to the constant threat of cost containment, Swiss ICUs should increasingly focus on process quality and results, while maintaining their existing good structures.

Critical Care↗
PubMed1999

[Borna disease in Switzerland and in the principality of Liechtenstein].

Borna disease (BD) is a rare immunopathological disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by infection with Borna disease virus (BDV) and histologically characterized by mononuclear encephalomyelitis. BD primarily affects equines and sheep in well defined endemic areas of central Europe, but BDV infections have also been reported in other host species including humans, as well as in non endemic regions. In this paper recent data on the pathogenesis of BD are reviewed and the current situation in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein is summarized.

Animals↗