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[Viral hemorrhagic fevers as a biological weapon].

Viral haemorrhagic fevers are zoonoses caused by a group of phylogenetically diverse RNA-viruses, capable of causing serious haemorrhagic complications in humans. The West-African Ebola and Marburg viruses pose the most significant threat because of their easy spreading through direct contact with the ill person and high death rate reaching 90%. They are considered among the most dangerous agents possibly used in bioterrorist attack and have been studied as a part of the Soviet biological weapons programme. The first symptoms of the Ebola haemorrhagic fever appear 4 to 16 days after the infection and are rather unspecific (fever, flu-like and gastrointestinal symptoms, cough, sore throat, conjunctivitis). Within a few days the disease leads to weight loss, haemorrhagic complications and circulatory insufficiency. The infection may be transmitted through direct contact with the patient, his/her body fluids and cadavers; droplet transmission is much less likely. There is no specific prophylaxis nor treatment; still, isolation of patients and use of personal protection means by persons providing care to patients seem efficient in stopping the infection. The knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of Filoviridae is still limited, which makes the results of bioterrorist attack using these pathogens hard to predict.

Bioterrorism↗

[Epizootiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the oasal zone of Tashauz Province, Turkmen SSR].

Six species of mosquitoes were recorded from the settlements in the oasis zone of Turkmenia. In all the settlements Ph. papatasi was prevalent, in the burrows of foxes and great gerbils Ph. papatasi was most abundant and in the burrows of midday gerbils Ser. arpaklensis was most frequently encountered. Epizootological investigations testify to the possible cases of cutaneous leishmaniosis within the oasis that is associated with intraoasis natural foci of zoonosal cutaneous leishmaniosis. These foci are potentially dangerous. In years of mass reproduction of gerbils and other wild animals, infection reservoirs, at high abundance of mosquitoes a danger of infection of population with cutaneous leishmaniosis cap arise in such zones.

Animals↗

[Veterinary medicine and public health or better: veterinary public health].

The development of veterinary medicine and its impact on public health are outlined in this overview. In relation to this, we speak of Veterinary Public Health. In 1865, the liberal J.R. Thorbecke initiated the institution of the later independent 'State Supervisory Public Health Inspectorate' was set up in 1920, as a consequence of the Meat Inspection Act of 1919, and became part of the State Supervisory Service. In 1925 the 'Veterinary Public Health Inspectorate', which was part of the Ministry of Public Health, and the 'Veterinary Service', which was part of the Ministry of Agriculture, formed together a so-called 'Personal Union'. This Union came to an end in 1984. During the nearly 60 years of its existence, and especially after the Second World War, the Union has contributed enormously to public health by controlling zoonoses and decreasing chemical contaminants in foodstuffs. In these achievements it has worked in collaboration with veterinary surgeons, meat inspection services, and research institutes such as the National Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM), the Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-Lelystad), and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Animals↗

[A case of bat rabies in a cat in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina].

In the Central Laboratory of Public Health in Buenos Aires, rabies was detected in a cat that was brought in for diagnosis by its owners. The animal, which was displaying symptoms of the furious form of the disease, had attacked three people in the rural area of Chascomús, near the Rio de la Plata. All three of the people who had been bitten received the necessary treatment. The diagnosis was made using the fluorescent antibody test and the inoculation of mice and the results were communicated to the Zoonoses Division of the Ministry of Health. The virus was then typed at the Institute Pasteur of Buenos Aires using monoclonal antibodies, where it was found to be antigenic variant 4 of serotype 1, i.e., the type of virus usually found in insectivorous bats. This area has been free of the canine variant since 1984. This is the first known case in the province of Buenos Aires of a cat becoming infected with this type of virus. It confirms that there is a link between the air and terrestrial cycles of rabies in this area.

Animals↗

[Monitoring and risk assessment of campylobacter infections].

The aim of a national study of a "Quantitative Risk Assessment of Campylobacter infections and broiler chicken" at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is to estimate the chicken meat associated risk of Campylobacteriosis in Germany by using probabilistic models. Furthermore, process parameters (modelling parameters) with the most vital impact on the risk of Campylobacteriosis due to chicken meat have to be elaborated to give recommendations for risk management options in the whole food chain. The outcome of Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultations on Risk Assessment of Microbiological Hazards in Foods (JEMRA) with respect to Campylobacter spp. in broiler chickens are the baseline for the national approach. In addition, national studies from Canada, Denmark and The Netherlands have to be considered. Typical regional data with respect to the disease, to risk factors in Germany and to the qualitative and quantitative occurrence of Campylobacter in broiler chickens along the "farm-to-fork" continuum have to be collected and validated for elaboration of the four elements of a risk assessment. Data on the prevalence of the agent at different stages of the food chain given in available surveillance systems in Germany are limited with respect to their suitability as incoming parameters for the models. A monitoring programme, as required in the Directive 2003/99/EC on the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents, as well as coordinated programmes for the official food control authorities, could improve the data baseline for risk assessment studies for instance. To collect all necessary information on the quantitative load of Camylobacter in broiler chickens will go beyond the scope of any existing or future monitoring systems. Results can only be achieved by detailed studies. Beside this, regional data on production and processing of broiler chicken, consumption data and information on the behaviour of consumers in households when preparing broiler chicken products are relevant for assessing the final risk to the consumers. For some questions, especially with respect to the dose-response-relation, internationally used models have to be applied. The national study is embedded in a national epidemiological network of "Foodborne Infections in Germany" which is coordinated by the Robert-Koch-Institute and supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Animal Husbandry↗

[Bartonellosis: emerging infection].

The spectrum of Bartonella infections in humans shows a constant increase. The number of Bartonella species responsible of zoonoses has increased from one to 7 during the past ten years. In addition numerous orphan clinical manifestations are now associated to Bartonella henselae infections. Animals and particularly domestic cat are the main reservoirs of Bartonella. Cats are healthy carriers of B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae, and can be bacteremic for months to years. Cat-to-cat transmission of the bacteria involves the cat flea in ab-sence of transmission by direct contact. Present knowledge on the etiology, clinical features and epidemiological characteristics of these emerging infections are presented.

Animals↗

[Epizootiology of foot and mouth disease during a quarter century (1962-1988) in Greece].

Greece has been considered as free from FMD since 1984. During the years 1962-1988 29 primary and 240 secondary (totally 269) outbreaks had appeared in Greece. From these 187 were of Type O, 60 of Type A, 14 of Type C, 6 of Type SAT 1 and 2 of Type ASIA 1. From the 269 cases 81 appeared in Attiki, 57 in Evros (near the Turkey) and 131 in the other provinces. With reference to animal species 197 were in cattle, 60 in pigs and 12 in sheep and goats. Most of the 29 primary outbreaks appeared in January and none in December. According to the epizootiological results FMD seems to be introduced in Greece either by imported meat and meat products (especially in Attiki) or from the neighbour Turkey (especially in Evros), where the disease is enzootic. Because of the geographical position of Greece it seems very important for all EEC countries that the FMD-Institute in Athens as well as the State Veterinary Service in Evros should be better organised so that any zoonoses from Asia could be controlled without delay.

Animals↗

[Mycoses in domestic animals].

In the present paper we will present a general view of the main mycoses affecting domestic animals. In the dog, we show the importance of the dermatophytoses, increased by its zoonosic character and the problem of the false negatives in the traditional microbiological culture. Under the general term of systemic mycoses we include a series of conditions considered usually as aspergillosis, bat with more and more fungal species implicated as possible etiological agents. In addition, fungi, especially yeasts, are being implicated in canine otitis; in our laboratory 86 % of canine chronic otitis involve a yeast etiology, alone or in collaboration with bacteria. In the cat, dermatophytes are more common than in the dog, and are the main source of infection in man, with the description of a high percentage of healthy carrier animals. Cryptococcosis is a severe disease, usually secondary to other process, especially feline immunodeficiency. In cows we refer to fungal abortion, with three main fungi implicated: Aspergillus, Candida and Zygomycetes. In some areas of our country the percentage of fungal abortion is around 10 %. A consequence of the multiple use of antibiotics in mastitis is selection of yeasts, especially those included in the genera Candida and Cryptococcus. Bovine dermatophytoses is an extensively disseminated disease in our country, with a commercial specific vaccine available. In small ruminants, Cryptococcus causes severe pneumonic processes that could be confused clinically with other conditions. An additional important question is the description of isolation of this fungus from tree leaves. In poultry, aspergillosis is a known and controlled disease, but with more importance in captive wild birds with an ecological value. In horses, we emphasize the lung infections by different fungi, specially Pneumocystis carinii, and arthritis by yeasts as consequence of wound contamination or surgery.

English Abstract↗

[Ehrlichiosis--a disease rarely recognized in Poland].

Ehrlichioses constitute a group of acute zoonoses caused by the infection with the microorganisms belonging to the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Neorickettsia (Rickettsiaceae). Presence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) caused by infection with Anaplasma phagocytophila (A. phagocytophila) and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus tick has been confirmed in Poland. All the cases described so far were noted in the area of endemic prevalence of Lyme borreliosis (north-east of Poland). Lack of characteristic symptoms makes the diagnosis of HGE difficult. It should be suspected in patients exposed to tick bites during the preceding few weeks, in whom acute, febrile illness accompanied by leucopenia and thrombocytopenia develops. The course of infection may be serious, or even life-threatening, in patients more than 40 years old; consequences of co-infection with A. phagocytophila and other tick-borne pathogens remain not well known. There is probably no risk of the development of chronic HGE. As specific diagnostic methods are not widely accessible in Poland, empirical therapy with doxycycline may be of benefit in suspected HGE cases.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

The place of marker vaccines in control and eradication of animal diseases--aspects of comparative interest.

Smallpox is the first viral infection to have been eradicated world-wide. This remarkable success is due to several factors including the availability of an efficacious vaccine and the absence of a wildlife reservoir. The only animal virus disease sharing these characteristics is rinderpest, for which there are several efficacious vaccines. Other animal viral infections do not share the same characteristics, either due to the lack of an efficacious vaccine (African swine fever), or to the existence of wildlife reservoirs such as the wild boar for classical swine fever, the African buffalo for foot-and-mouth disease, bats for lyssavirus infections, etc. These diseases are more prone to regional elimination than a complete worldwide eradication. Two methods are used to eliminate an animal viral infection, either vaccination or the strict application of hygienic measures including stamping out and incineration, or the combination of both methods. Public opinion is more and more concerned about stamping out, even when necessary such as when dealing with emerging zoonoses. On the other hand, generalised vaccination (i.e. against foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, etc.) may be discontinued despite its efficacy, for macro-economical reasons. The solution may come from the use of marker vaccines associated with companion diagnostic tests to make a distinction between infected and immunised animals by serological examination. Current control and eradication programmes against these and other diseases, the role of marker vaccines, and the limitations of such programmes are being discussed.

Animal Diseases↗

[Aspects of meat inspection in the framework of a system of Integrated Quality Control for slaughtering pigs].

This article evaluates different aspects of meat inspection that are important in an integrated quality control system for slaughter pigs. The meat inspection service registers post-mortem abnormalities. However, to achieve a reliable registration, it is necessary to be able to identify individual animals on the slaughter-line. The information about post-mortem abnormalities can be used by the meat inspection service. Percentages of abnormalities in a shipment of pigs were included in meat inspection indices. It was not possible to predict the percentages of abnormalities in shipment of pigs from individual pig suppliers, but it was possible to classify fattening herds according to the meat inspection index. Information about the pigs delivered from a fattening herd was provided in two ways: by delivering relevant information on a quality control card, and by preselecting (done by the pig supplier) pigs according to the presence or absence of abnormalities. With both methods it was possible to divide pigs into a group with and a group without post-mortem abnormalities. It is necessary that the information supplied is accurate. Information can be checked by screening a number of animals for drug residues (and zoonoses) at the slaughterhouse, and by checking the information registered by the pig supplier in logbooks kept on the farm. From a comparison of results obtained with a meat inspection method based on visual inspection (no incisions, no palpitation) of the carcass with those obtained with the regular meat inspection method, it can be concluded that many abnormalities are detected equally well with both methods. Some recommendations for further research are given.

Animals↗

Human brucellosis in the Mid-West 2002-3.

Human brucellosis remains a serious public health issue in Ireland. Clinical notifications in the Mid-Western Area (HSE-MWA) underestimate the burden of illness and attendant morbidity in the region. The diagnosis of acute and chronic human brucellosis depends on the clinical evidence and the results from laboratory serological testing or culture on rare occasion. This study examined the clinical evidence behind locally defined serological "positives" in the HSE-MWA from 2002 to 2003. Ninety cases were detected in 2002 and 31 in 2003. While sampling bias is likely to be present, aspects of brucellosis in Ireland were confirmed. Middle-aged males were most commonly affected. The majority of cases were linked to farming or veterinary practice. Symptoms such as sweats, fever and weight loss were commonly associated with acute brucellosis infection while malaise was common in acute and chronic brucellosis. A clear definition of what is notifiable is needed. Surveillance systems must appreciate the importance of both clinical and laboratory evidence to classify confirmed or probable brucellosis as paired sera were not common. Public health authorities must follow-up the clinical aspects for accurate national statistics. General practitioners in the Mid-West appear to be vigilant regarding brucellosis in their patients. Regional zoonoses committees are useful in monitoring disease prevalence in human and animal populations without compromising confidentiality.

Adolescent↗

Ecology of the leishmania species in the Guianan ecoregion complex.

In the Guianan ecoregion complex, at least seven Leishmania species belonging to both the L. (Leishmania) Saf' janova, 1982 and L. (Viannia) Lainson and Shaw, 1987 sub-genera are causative agents of American visceral leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and cutaneous leishmaniases, including localized and diffuse forms. They are mostly sylvatic species subjugated to their own specific Lutzomyia sand fly vectors and to particular wild mammalian reservoir hosts of the dense rain forest. Originally implicated strictly in wild zoonoses and developing in forested ecotopes, Leishmania show a particular adaptive plasticity to face environmental modifications following deforestation and anthropization. This review presents the different pathogenic complexes of these parasites, emphasizes their implication in human diseases, and considers the influence of humans on their ecology.

Animals↗

[Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia psittaci infection in dogs].

The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia psittaci antibodies was investigated in 530 dog specimens divided into six groups, i. e. A = private watch dogs, B1 = service dogs from Bratislava, B2 = service dogs from other localities of Slovakia and Moravia, C = watch dogs from farms, I = household dogs, T = stray dogs. The dogs demonstrated the higher seropositivity to C. burnetii (11.7%) than to Ch. psittaci (5.5%). The highest percentage of antibodies to C. burnetii was found in stray dogs (23.7%), less prevalence of antibodies was observed in the animals in group C (13.6%), almost the same positivity was proved in the dogs of group B1 and B2 (10.5 and 10.6%). The highest positivity to Ch. psittaci was demonstrated in the dogs of group A (8.7%), less in group B2 (6.6%) and the least number in group B1 (1.9%). The stray dogs occupied the intermediate position in this data (Tab. I). Ninety four localities were tested, from which 38 were seropositive. Neither acute coxiellosis nor chlamydiosis were proved in any animals examined. Ninety per cent of dogs were found healthy, but 10% of dogs demonstrated hepatopathia and gastroenteritis. Two of them (category A and I) were seropositive to C. burnetii (titer 1:8 to 1:16) and one to Ch. psittaci (titer 1:16). Both C. burnetii and Ch. psittaci attack dogs parallely with the agents of other zoonoses, of which the most common is Toxoplasma gondii (Tab. II). Several dogs demonstrated seropositivity to three up to five zoonotic agents (Tab. III).

Animals↗

Screening of patients with acute febrile illness for leptospirosis using clinical criteria and serology.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is one of the common zoonoses but, in most instances, the infection goes unnoticed. Rapid diagnostic modalities are needed to diagnose the disease in the early stages. We assessed the usefulness of clinical criteria and compared these with enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) for the early detection of leptospirosis. METHODS: One hundred patients with a febrile illness for > 7 days were screened by Faine criteria and their sera were subjected to both IgM and IgG ELISA using a commercially available kit (Institut Virion Serion GmbH, Warburg, Germany). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients satisfied the clinical criteria for leptospirosis and 8 of them tested positive for IgM antibodies while 1 patient who was clinically negative tested positive by serology. Thus, Faine criteria had a sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 80.2%, positive predictive value of 30.8% and a negative predictive value of 98.6%. Paired serum samples were obtained from 70 patients but the IgG levels of only 2 showed a 4-fold rise. CONCLUSION: Faine criteria has moderate sensitivity and specificity but a high negative predictive value in comparison with IgM ELISA. The high negative predictive value may help to screen patients with acute febrile illness for leptospirosis during the early phase of the disease.

Acute Disease↗

Orf virus infection in humans--New York, Illinois, California, and Tennessee, 2004-2005.

Orf virus is a zoonotic parapoxvirus endemic to most countries in the world and is principally associated with small ruminants (e.g., sheep and goats). Human orf infections appear as ulcerative skin lesions after contact with an infected animal or contaminated fomite. This report summarizes the epidemiologic and laboratory investigations of four sporadic cases of human orf infection, emphasizing the temporal association between human lesions and skin trauma or recent flock vaccination with live orf vaccine. This zoonotic infection shares clinical manifestations and exposure risks with other, potentially life-threatening zoonoses (e.g., cutaneous anthrax) and is likely under-recognized because of a lack of clinical suspicion and widely available diagnostics. Barrier precautions and proper hand hygiene are recommended for the prevention of orf virus infection in humans.

Adolescent↗

Selected epidemiological features of human brucellosis in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran: 1993-1998.

Brucellosis is a significant health problem in countries where control of zoonoses is inadequate. During 1993-98, we analysed sera and cultures from 792 suspected brucellosis patients who presented with histories of fever, chills, night sweating, weakness, malaise and headache to the referral hospital in Yazd. Cases were investigated by tube agglutination test (TAT) and 2-mercaptoethanol test (2-MET) and a questionnaire was completed for each.TAT titre was > or = 1:1 60 for 745 patients (94.1%) and 2-MET was positive for 42 (5.3%). Of 745 confirmed cases, 460 were from 1996-1997. Prevalence was highest in summer (39.5%) and more common males than among females. Prevalence was highest among those aged 10-19 years (27.7%). Most patients had a history of infected cheese, milk and milk product consumption (98%).

Adolescent↗

Diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichioses, and anaplasmosis--United States: a practical guide for physicians and other health-care and public health professionals.

Tickborne rickettsial diseases (TBRD) continue to cause severe illness and death in otherwise healthy adults and children, despite the availability of low cost, effective antimicrobial therapy. The greatest challenge to clinicians is the difficult diagnostic dilemma posed by these infections early in their clinical course, when antibiotic therapy is most effective. Early signs and symptoms of these illnesses are notoriously nonspecific or mimic benign viral illnesses, making diagnosis difficult. In October 2004, CDC's Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, in consultation with 11 clinical and academic specialists of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, human granulocytotropic anaplasmosis, and human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, developed guidelines to address the need for a consolidated source for the diagnosis and management of TBRD. The preparers focused on the practical aspects of epidemiology, clinical assessment, treatment, and laboratory diagnosis of TBRD. This report will assist clinicians and other health-care and public health professionals to 1) recognize epidemiologic features and clinical manifestations of TBRD, 2) develop a differential diagnosis that includes and ranks TBRD, 3) understand that the recommendations for doxycycline are the treatment of choice for both adults and children, 4) understand that early empiric antibiotic therapy can prevent severe morbidity and death, and 5) report suspect or confirmed cases of TBRD to local public health authorities to assist them with control measures and public health education efforts.

Anaplasmosis↗