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PubMed1999

Association of herpesvirus with fibropapillomatosis of the green turtle Chelonia mydas and the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in Florida.

Sea turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease marked by proliferation of benign but debilitating cutaneous fibropapillomas and occasional visceral fibromas. Transmission experiments have implicated a chloroform-sensitive transforming agent present in filtered cell-free tumor homogenates in the etiology of FP. In this study, consensus primer PCR methodology was used to test the association of a chelonian herpesvirus with fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapilloma and skin samples were obtained from 17 green and 2 loggerhead turtles affected with FP stranded along the Florida coastline. Ninety-three cutaneous and visceral tumors from the 19 turtles, and 33 skin samples from 16 of the turtles, were tested. All turtles affected with FP had herpesvirus associated with their tumors as detected by PCR. Ninety-six percent (89/93) of the tumors, but only 9% (3/33) of the skin samples, from affected turtles contained detectable herpesvirus. The skin samples that contained herpesvirus were all within 2 cm of a fibropapilloma. Also, 1 of 11 scar tissue samples from sites where fibropapillomas had been removed 2 to 51 wk earlier from 5 green turtles contained detectable herpesvirus. None of 18 normal skin samples from 2 green and 2 loggerhead turtles stranded without FP contained herpesvirus. The data indicated that herpesvirus was detectable only within or close to tumors. To determine if the same virus infected both turtle species, partial nucleotide sequences of the herpesvirus DNA polymerase gene were determined from 6 loggerhead and 2 green turtle samples. The sequences predicted that herpesvirus of loggerhead turtles differed from those of green turtles by only 1 of 60 amino acids in the sequence examined, indicating that a chelonian herpesvirus exhibiting minor intratypic variation was the only herpesvirus present in tumors of both green and loggerhead turtles. The FP-associated herpesvirus resisted cultivation on chelonian cell lines which support the replication of other chelonian herpesviruses. These results lead to the conclusion that a chelonian herpesvirus is regularly associated with fibropapillomatosis and is not merely an incidental finding in affected turtles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

A new pathogenic virus in the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus from the Florida Keys.

A pathogenic virus was diagnosed from juvenile Caribbean spiny lobsters Panulirus argus from the Florida Keys. Moribund lobsters had characteristically milky hemolymph that did not clot. Altered hyalinocytes and semigranulocytes, but not granulocytes, were observed with light microscopy. Infected hemocytes had emarginated, condensed chromatin, hypertrophied nuclei and faint eosinophilic Cowdry-type-A inclusions. In some cases, infected cells were observed in soft connective tissues. With electron microscopy, unenveloped, nonoccluded, icosahedral virions (182 +/- 9 nm SD) were diffusely spread around the inner periphery of the nuclear envelope. Virions also occurred in loose aggregates in the cytoplasm or were free in the hemolymph. Assembly of the nucleocapsid occurred entirely within the nucleus of the infected cells. Within the virogenic stroma, blunt rod-like structures or whorls of electron-dense granular material were apparently associated with viral assembly. The prevalence of overt infections, defined as lethargic animals with milky hemolymph, ranged from 6 to 8% with certain foci reaching prevalences of 37%. The disease was transmissible to uninfected lobsters using inoculations of raw hemolymph from infected animals. Inoculated animals became moribund 5 to 7 d before dying and they began dying after 30 to 80 d post-exposure. The new virus is apparently widespread, infectious, and lethal to the Caribbean spiny lobster. Given the pathogenic nature of the virus, further characterization of the disease agent is warranted.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Scleractinian coral diseases in south Florida: incidence, species susceptibility, and mortality.

There are limited quantitative data available documenting the natural, or non-epizootic, occurrence of scleractinian coral diseases over multiple years. Individual coral colonies exhibiting black band disease (BBD), white plague (WP), dark spots syndrome (DSS), and white band disease (WBD) were monitored 3 times per year on 5 south Florida reefs over a 2 yr period. Surveys included measurements of coral population composition, coral diversity, disease type, coral species affected, colony size, percent of colony affected, and the number of lesions or active infections per colony. Data on re-infections of the same colonies, multiple infections per colony, disease duration, disease-associated tissue mortality, and coral recruitment are also presented. A total of 674 coral colonies exhibiting coral diseases were tagged and monitored. DSS was the most common syndrome (n = 620 infected colonies), but BBD and WP infections caused the largest amount of coral tissue death. The only disease that exhibited a linear increase in incidence with elevated temperature was BBD. DSS and BBD were the most persistent conditions, and WP infections were comparatively short-lived, with obvious signs of disease typically disappearing after 2 to 3 mo. The only disease that caused total colony death as oppposed to partial mortality during the survey period was WBD. WP and DSS incidence was significantly positively correlated with the relative frequency of the species most commonly affected by each disease at each study site. Of the 61 colonies examined in the recruitment survey, only 5 scleractinian coral recruits were identified. The most commonly recorded colonizer of exposed coral skeleton was filamentous/turf algae, thus indicating the potential for a shift towards algal-dominated reef communities.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Culture and identification of Desulfovibrio spp. from corals infected by black band disease on Dominican and Florida Keys reefs.

Black band disease (BBD) of corals is characterized as a pathogenic microbial consortium composed of a wide variety of microorganisms. Together, many of these microorganisms contribute to an active sulfur cycle that produces anoxia and high levels of sulfide adjacent to the coral surface, conditions that are lethal to coral tissue. Sulfate-reducing bacteria, as sulfide producers, are an important component of the sulfur cycle and the black band community. Previous molecular survey studies have shown multiple Desulfovibrio species present in BBD but with limited consistency between bacterial species and infections. In this study we compared 16S rRNA gene sequences of sulfate-reducing bacteria selectively cultured from 6 BBD bands on 4 coral species, Diploria clivosa, D. strigosa, D. labyrinthiformes, and Siderastrea siderea, in the Florida Keys and Dominica. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained through direct sequencing of PCR products or by cloning. A BLAST search revealed that 8 out of 10 cultures sequenced were highly homologous to Desulfovibrio sp. strain TBP-1, a strain originally isolated from marine sediment. Although the remaining 2 sequences were less homologous to Desulfovibrio sp. strain TBP-1, they did not match any other sulfate-reducing (or other) species in GenBank.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Developing case managers for chronically ill children: Florida's registered nurse specialist program.

This article describes the Florida Health and Rehabilitative Services/Children's Medical Services Nurse Specialist Program. This program is a statewide training and service delivery system designed to prepare selected nurses to provide comprehensive, family-centered case management services to children with special health care needs, within the home and community settings.

Child↗
PubMed1975

Chiropteran rabies in Florida: a twenty-year analysis, 1954 to 1973.

Chiropteran rabies in Florida is analyzed for the 20-year period 1954 to 1973. The examination of 6,447 bats between 1954 and 1961 yielded 55 (0.85%) positive animals. From 1962 to 1973 however, 2,293 bats examined yielded 236 (10.3%) positive. The yellow bat, Lasiurus intermedius floridanus, accounted for 183 (63.1%) of all cases of chiropteran rabies. Sporadic cases occurred throughout the state with more being reported from the central portion of the state. Cases have been reported every month of the year, peaking in July and August. There were no significant differences in the distribution of rabies in colonial or noncolonial bats by sex or age. There were also no significant differences in the number of reported human and dog contacts made by rabid and non-rabid bats. Clinically ill bats found negative for rabies had a significantly higher contact rate with cats than did rabid bats.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Identification of Highlands J virus from a Florida horse.

A virus, strain 64A-1519, isolated from the brain of a horse dying of encephalitis in Florida in 1964, was identified as western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus. Recently, we used polyclonal and monoclonal immune reagents to identify this isolate by comparing it to 2 strains of WEE virus and to Highlands J (HJ) virus in hemagglutination-inhibition, immunofluorescent antibody, and plaque-reduction neutralization tests. These tests demonstrate that strain 64A-1519 is a strain of HJ virus distinct from WEE virus.

Alphavirus↗
PubMed1996

Human blood-feeding rates among sympatric sibling species of Anopheles quadrimaculatus mosquitoes in northern Florida.

We compared rates of feeding on human hosts for blood-engorged female Anopheles quadrimaculatus species A, B and C1 collected from daytime resting sites in Manatee Springs State Park, Levy County, Florida during 1992-1993. Quick-blot DNA probes were used to identify mosquito taxa and also the presence of human blood in the mosquito gut. In collections from a campground area, human blood-feeding rates differed significantly among mosquito species (10.7% [19 of 177], 0%, [0 of 62], and 1.2%, [4 of 327]), respectively for species A, B and C1). In collections from a woodland site (1 km from the campground), 1.5% (2 of 129) of the species B females had fed on humans, whereas none of 19 species A or 159 species C1 females had done so. Of the three species in this study area, species A appears the most likely to be a biting pest of humans and a vector of human malaria.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Black Creek Canal Virus infection in Sigmodon hispidus in southern Florida.

A total of 1,500 small mammals were collected and tested for antibodies cross-reactive to Sin Nombre virus (Hantavirus: Bunyaviridae) at 89 sites in a 1,600 km2 study area of southern Florida. More than 95% of the 123 seropositive animals were cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), suggesting infection by Black Creek Canal Virus, although seroreactive Rattus rattus (5 of 294) and Peromyscus gossypinus (1 of 39) also were captured. Crude seroprevalence in S. hispidus was 11%. Seroprevalence increased with body size and was more common in male (18%; n=451) than in female (6%; n=593) cotton rats. Infection within S. hispidus populations was widespread throughout the study area. Prevalence ranged from 0% to 60% at sites where more than five cotton rats were sampled but was not only a function of sample size. Sites with seropositive cotton rats were geographically clustered compared with sites with no seropositive cotton rats. Clustering was not due to the spatial distribution of sites with few animals, season of collection, or sex bias of animals captured at these sites. However, sites with no seropositive animals had an excess of animals in the intermediate size class (60-99 g) and a deficit of the largest and smallest animals. These data suggest that population structure within the habitat mosaic may play a significant role in the spatial distribution of hantavirus infection in local populations of reservoir species.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

The financial experience of hospitals with HMO contracts: evidence from Florida.

In this paper, we report results from the first study to systematically examine trends in the financial experience of hospitals with health maintenance organization (HMO) contracts. The longitudinal analysis (1990 through 1997) focused on hospitals in Florida. Hospital operating margins for HMO contracts grew tighter toward the end of the study period when the median margin was less than 1%. Teaching hospitals had operating margins that on average were below that of their nonteaching counterparts. The continued growth of HMOs and other managed care entities may have important implications for the future financial viability of U.S. hospitals.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence and risk factors for heartworm infection in cats from northern Florida.

Necropsies were performed on 630 adult cats in northern Florida to determine the prevalence and risk factors for heartworm infection in cats of this region. Heartworms were identified in 4.9% of cats, and serological evidence of heartworm exposure was present in 17% of cats. Not all cats from which heartworms were recovered were seropositive for heartworm antigen or antibody. There was no association between heartworm infection and co-infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Male cats were at higher risk of infection with heartworm, FeLV, or FIV than were females. Because even a single heartworm can cause clinical disease or death in cats, the authors conclude that cats in this region should receive heartworm prophylaxis to prevent heartworm infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Tuberculosis, atypical mycobacteriosis, and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among Haitian and non-Haitian patients in south Florida.

To study the association between mycobacterial disease and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, we reviewed the records of all cases of tuberculosis and all cases of the syndrome reported in Dade County, Florida, from January 1980 through June 1983. Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 27 of 45 Haitians with the syndrome, but in only 1 of 37 non-Haitians with the syndrome (p less than 0.001). Among the 27 Haitians with the syndrome and tuberculosis, 19 had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, whereas among 286 Haitian patients with tuberculosis without the syndrome, only 56 had extrapulmonary tuberculosis (p less than 0.001). Tuberculosis preceded the syndrome by 1 to 17 months (mean, 6) in 22 patients. In 10 patients with the syndrome and positive sputum cultures who were treated with conventional antituberculosis drugs, the cultures became negative within 1 to 4 months and tuberculosis did not recur. The frequency of disseminated atypical mycobacteriosis or positive sputum cultures for atypical mycobacteria was not significantly different between Haitian (11.3%) and non-Haitian (8.3%) patients with the syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Syndromes of Vibrio vulnificus infections. Clinical and epidemiologic features in Florida cases, 1981-1987.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of Vibrio vulnificus infections. DESIGN: Case series based on notifiable disease report forms and patient medical records. SETTING: Cases reported to the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services from 1981 to 1987. PATIENTS: Sixty-two patients with V. vulnificus infection. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The three clinical syndromes found were primary septicemia (38 patients), wound infections (17 patients), and gastrointestinal illness without septicemia or wound infections (7 patients). Mortality rate was highest for patients with primary septicemia (55%; 95% CI, 38 to 71) and intermediate for wound infections (24%; 95% CI, 8 to 51): no deaths occurred in those with gastrointestinal illness. Common characteristics and exposures in patients with these syndromes included recent history of raw oyster consumption for primary septicemia and gastrointestinal illness, liver disease for primary septicemia, and either having a preexisting wound or sustaining a wound in contact with seawater for wound infections. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should ask about marine exposures in patients with underlying medical conditions, especially liver disease, who present with unexplained febrile illness, and should start appropriate therapy promptly.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The 1990 Florida Dental Investigation: is the case really closed?

In 1994, a magazine article, a newspaper article, and a segment of the television newsmagazine 60 Minutes presented information that cast doubt on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's conclusion that a dentist in Florida had infected six of his patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These reports were based on previously unavailable documentary evidence, which suggested that the infected patients had unreported or undetected risk factors for HIV infection and that the molecular analyses used to determine that the dentist and his patients had the same strains of HIV had potentially serious flaws. A recent article in this journal sought to dismiss the relevance of this information in the eyes of the scientific community. That report, however, failed to respond directly to many key pieces of evidence, and it offered no rebuttal beyond personal invective and a reassertion of previously published material. Although scientists and clinicians should not rely solely on media reports when drawing conclusions about this complex and controversial case, they deserve a chance to consider and reflect on this material in a meaningful way.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

The 1990 Florida Dental Investigation: theory and fact.

Controversy remains about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) conclusion that a dentist in Florida transmitted human immunodeficiency virus to six of his patients in the late 1980s. The most vocal doubt has come from journalists affiliated with the television program 60 Minutes. Although unanswered questions about the case remain, the evidence continues to overwhelmingly support the CDC's theory. The criticism of the CDC investigation consists largely of assertions that contrary evidence theoretically might exist.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

The diagnosis of onychomycosis in a geriatric population: a study of 450 cases in South Florida.

An investigative study was performed to determine the diagnosis of onychomycosis in a South Florida geriatric population. In this study, 450 cases of suspected onychomycosis involving men and women 65 years of age and older from a private practice office and two nursing home settings were used. Samples were taken from the hallux toenail and sent to a mycology laboratory for fluorescent potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation and microscopic examination of a fungal culture. Of the 450 cases studied, 46.4% of the patients had a single fungal organism cultured, 30.4% had a mixed fungal infection cultured, and 23.1% had no fungal growth. Saprophytes were found in 59.9% of the 526 total fungal organisms cultured while dermatophytes were found in only 23.8%. The results of this investigation demonstrate that there may be a shift from isolated dermatophyte infection to mixed saprophyte infections in a geriatric population with onychomycosis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1975

Avian pox in Florida sandhill cranes.

Cutaneous elevations were present on the feet, legs and heads of four Florida sandhill cranes, Grus canadensis pratensis, (one free-living, three penreared birds). As a result of examination of the elevations by light- and electron microscopy, it was determined that the lesions were caused by poxvirus. This is the first record of pox in cranes in North America.

Animals↗