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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
West Nile Virus Blood Transfusion-Related Infection Despite Nucleic Acid Testing, Alexandre Macedo De Oliveira, Brady Beecham, Susan P. Montgomery, Robert S. Lanciotti, Jeffrey M. Linnen, Cristina Giachetti, Larry A. Pietrelli, Susan L. Stramer, Thomas J. Safranek
West Nile Virus Blood Transfusion-Related Infection Despite Nucleic Acid Testing, Alexandre Macedo De Oliveira, Brady Beecham, Susan P. Montgomery, Robert S. Lanciotti, Jeffrey M. Linnen, Cristina Giachetti, Larry A. Pietrelli, Susan L. Stramer, Thomas J. Safranek
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
BACKGROUND: A case of West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis associated with transfusion of blood that did not react when tested for WNV by minipool (MP) nucleic acid testing (NAT) is described. A Nebraska man developed clinical encephalitis 13 days after surgery and transfusion of 26 blood components. Antibody testing confirmed WNV infection. An investigation was initiated to determine the source of this infection.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The patient’s family members were interviewed to identify risk factors for WNV infection. Residual samples were retested for WNV RNA using transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay and two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Blood …
Bovine Tuberculosis In Michigan White-Tailed Deer
Bovine Tuberculosis In Michigan White-Tailed Deer
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Starting in 1995 hunter harvested, road killed, and other dead deer were examined for bovine TB infection. White-tailed deer in Michigan have since been tested year round for bovine TB. Testing revealed that most of the TB positive animals were located in a core area in the northeastern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The core area is located around the four corners where the counties of Montmorency, Alpena, Oscoda and Alcona meet. Antrim, Crawford, Emmet, Iosco, Mecosta, Osceola, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon Counties have also had animals test positive for bovine TB.
In the U.S. today, the threat of …
Salmonella In Songbirds
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Salmonella is a type of bacterium found in the gut of many species of birds both domestic and wild. During periods of stress it can cause outbreaks of sickness and death. Its importance in songbird populations generally and the occurrence of outbreaks in this province specifically are discussed in this fact sheet.
Parasites Of Caribou (1): Brain Worm Infestation
Parasites Of Caribou (1): Brain Worm Infestation
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Brain worm is the common name for a disease of caribou that was first recognized in Central Newfoundland in the 1970's and has since been seen in other caribou herds including most recently the caribou of the Southern Avalon. Its more scientific name is Cerebrospinal Elaphostrongylosis (CSE) and is caused by the nematode Elaphostrongylus rangiferi.
Infection can cause severe illness and death in affected animals and has a particularly strong impact on herds that have not been previously exposed to this parasite.
As this is primarily a disease of caribou, there is no direct public health threat to humans. Moose …
Parasites Of Caribou (3): Tapeworm Cysts
Parasites Of Caribou (3): Tapeworm Cysts
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
All wild animals carry diseases. In some cases these might be of concern if they can spread to humans or domestic animals. In other cases, they might be of interest if they impact on the health of our wild herds, or simply if they have been noticed by hunters and you would like to know more.
This fact sheet is one of a series produced on the common diseases of caribou and covers the cyst form of three common tapeworms. Two (Taenia hydatigena and Taenia krabbei) exist on both the island of Newfoundland and in Labrador, while the …
Pesticide Poisoning Of Seagulls
Pesticide Poisoning Of Seagulls
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
In April 2000 a major pesticide leak caused the death and illness of a significant number of wild birds. The findings and conclusions of this die-off are detailed.
Parasites Of Caribou (2): Fly Larvae Infestations
Parasites Of Caribou (2): Fly Larvae Infestations
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
All wild animals carry diseases. In some cases these might be of concern if they can spread to humans or domestic animals. In other cases they might be of interest if they impact on the health of our wild herds, or simply because the signs of the disease have been noticed and you want to know more.
This fact sheet is one of a series produced on the common diseases of caribou and covers the larval form of two different flies commonly seen in this province. Neither of these are a cause of public health concern.
Parasites Of The Snowshoe Hare (1): Tapeworm Cysts
Parasites Of The Snowshoe Hare (1): Tapeworm Cysts
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
All wild animals carry diseases. In some cases these might be of concern because they can spread to humans or domestic animals. In other cases they may be of interest simply because the signs of the disease have been seen and you want to know more. Though diseases are relatively common in these animals there is usually an increase in reporting when the hare populations are at a peak. High populations mean that there is an increased chance of one animal infecting another. In addition, when there are too many animals in one area, the amount of available food is …
Keep Your Cabin Free Of Rodents
Keep Your Cabin Free Of Rodents
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Cabins that have been closed for the winter can become nesting sites for mice, shrews and other rodents. These animals can carry fleas, ticks, viruses or other organisms on their skin, in their droppings or urine. These can cause diseases in humans, especially when you breathe in the dust from their droppings or nesting sites.
Avoid close contact with rodent urine, droppings, nesting materials or with any food or surfaces contaminated with them.
Always wear rubber gloves when handling dead rodents, or when cleaning traps, droppings, nesting sites or other areas that rodents may have visited.
Lyme Disease In Newfoundland
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Lyme Disease, spread by ticks, is an illness affecting both humans and domestic animals. The presence of the bacteria causing this illness was reported for the first time in this province in July 2001. This fact sheet provides details on the disease and its spread.
Hantavirus In Deer Mice
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses recently identified in North America as being a risk for human health. The importance of these viruses and the facts on their presence in Newfoundland are discussed.
Rabies In Newfoundland & Labrador
Rabies In Newfoundland & Labrador
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Rabies is a deadly viral disease of the brain spread by the bite of infected mammals. It is most commonly seen in red or arctic foxes in this province though other wild animals such as bats may carry the disease. Sick foxes can bite other foxes, dogs, cats, wolves, caribou, other animals and people and make them sick. Once bitten by an animal with rabies it can take from two weeks to six months before the animal shows signs of the disease. Though uncommon, this period can be as short as 4 days or as long as a year or …
“French Heartworm” Infection Of Dogs & Foxes In Newfoundland
“French Heartworm” Infection Of Dogs & Foxes In Newfoundland
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
French Heartworm is the common name for a parasitic disease affecting foxes, dogs, and other members of the dog family. Caused by the nematode (worm) Angiostrongylus vasorum, this disease was first thought to exist in France in the mid 1800's. It is now considered to exist generally in Europe but has not been reported in North America other than on the Island of Newfoundland, with the exception of infected animals imported from Europe but diagnosed in North America. The first case recorded in Newfoundland was in Aquaforte (Avalon Peninsula) in 1973.
When and how it might have come over …
Seroprevalence Of Bartonella Infection In American Free-Ranging And Captive Pumas (Felis Concolor) And Bobcats (Lynx Rufus), Bruno B. Chomel, Yoko Kikuchi, Janice S. Martenson, Melodie E. Roelke-Parker, Chao-Chin Chang, Rickie W. Kasten, Janet E. Foley, John Laudre, Kerry Murphy, Pamela K. Swift, Vicki L. Kramer, Stephen J. O'Brien
Seroprevalence Of Bartonella Infection In American Free-Ranging And Captive Pumas (Felis Concolor) And Bobcats (Lynx Rufus), Bruno B. Chomel, Yoko Kikuchi, Janice S. Martenson, Melodie E. Roelke-Parker, Chao-Chin Chang, Rickie W. Kasten, Janet E. Foley, John Laudre, Kerry Murphy, Pamela K. Swift, Vicki L. Kramer, Stephen J. O'Brien
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Bartonella henselae is the main agent of cat scratch disease in humans and domestic cats are the main reservoir of this bacterium. We conducted a serosurvey to investigate the role of American wild felids as a potential reservoir of Bartonella species. A total of 479 samples (439 serum samples and 40 Nobuto strips) collected between 1984 and 1999 from pumas (Felis concolor) and 91 samples (58 serum samples and 33 Nobuto strips) collected from bobcats (Lynx rufus) in North America, Central America and South America were screened for B. henselae antibodies. The overall prevalence of B. …
Chronic Wasting Disease—Prion Disease In The Wild, Steve Bunk
Chronic Wasting Disease—Prion Disease In The Wild, Steve Bunk
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
In 1967, mule deer in a research facility near Fort Collins, Colorado, in the United States apparently began to react badly to their captivity. At least, that was the guess of researchers working on the natural history and nutrition of the deer, which became listless and showed signs of depressed mood, hanging their heads and lowering their ears. They lost appetite and weight. Then they died—of emaciation, pneumonia, and other complications—or were euthanized. The scientists dubbed it chronic wasting disease (CWD), and for years they thought it might be caused by stress, nutritional deficiencies, or poisoning. A decade later, CWD …
Chronic Wasting Disease Management In Nebraska
Chronic Wasting Disease Management In Nebraska
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
The presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in free-roaming and domesticated cervine animal populations of deer and elk in the state of Nebraska presents a threat to the natural resources of the state. The presence of this disease could drastically restrict the successful achievement of the goals and objectives of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) as set forth in their long range plan “Focusing on the Future…A Plan for Nebraska’s Fish, Wildlife and Parkland Resources”. Objective 3 in the Big Game section of this plan is to “Monitor the status and health of deer, so reasonable assumptions may …
A Processed Pseudogene Contributes To Apparent Mule Deer Prion Gene Heterogeneity, Kelly A. Brayton, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Amy K. Lyda, Michael W. Miller, Donald P. Knowles Jr.
A Processed Pseudogene Contributes To Apparent Mule Deer Prion Gene Heterogeneity, Kelly A. Brayton, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Amy K. Lyda, Michael W. Miller, Donald P. Knowles Jr.
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Pathogenesis and transmission of the prion disorders (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, TSEs) are mediated by a modified isoform of the prion protein (PrP). Prion protein gene (PRNP) alleles associated with relative susceptibility to TSE have been identified in sheep, humans and possibly elk. Comparable data have not been derived for mule deer, a species susceptible to the TSE chronic wasting disease (CWD). Initial analysis of the open reading frame (ORF) in exon 3 of the mule deer PRNP gene revealed polymorphisms in all 145 samples analyzed, with 10 potential polymorphic sites. Because 144/145 (99.3%) of the samples were heterozygous …
Histamine As An Aid To Biopsy Of Third Eyelid Lymphoid Tissue In Sheep, S. Bender, J. Alverson, L. M. Herrmann, Katherine I. O'Rourke
Histamine As An Aid To Biopsy Of Third Eyelid Lymphoid Tissue In Sheep, S. Bender, J. Alverson, L. M. Herrmann, Katherine I. O'Rourke
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
TRANSMISSIBLE spongiform encephalopathies, of which ovine scrapie is a prototype, are neurodegenerative disorders characterised by the accumulation of an abnormal isoform (PrP-scrapie or PrPSc) of a normal cellular protein (PrPC) (Prusiner 1982). Characteristics of the disease include long incubation periods, and a progressive and chronic clinical course resulting in death (Fraser 1976). PrPsc is detectable during the preclinical stages of scrapie in peripheral lymph nodes (Ikegami and others 1991, Muramatsu and others 1993), in lymphoid follicles of the tonsils (Schreuder and others 1996) and in lymphoid follicles of the nictitating membrane or third eyelid (O'Rourke …
Variable Patterns Of Distribution Of Prpcwd In The Obex And Cranial Lymphoid Tissues Of Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus Elaphus Nelsoni) With Subclinical Chronic Wasting Disease, T. R. Spraker, A. Balachandran, D. Zhuang, Katherine I. O'Rourke
Variable Patterns Of Distribution Of Prpcwd In The Obex And Cranial Lymphoid Tissues Of Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus Elaphus Nelsoni) With Subclinical Chronic Wasting Disease, T. R. Spraker, A. Balachandran, D. Zhuang, Katherine I. O'Rourke
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Sections of medulla oblongata. taken at the level of the obex, palatine tonsil and medial retropharyngeal lymph node from 10,269 captive Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), were examined by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody for the prion protein associated with the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of cervids, chronic wasting disease (PrPCWD). The protein was detected in 226 of them. On the basis of the anatomical location of the deposits in the brainstem of 183 elk, four distinct patterns of distribution of PrPCWD within the parasympathetic region of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve …
Resistance To Scrapie In Prp Arr/Arq Heterozygous Sheep Is Not Caused By Preferential Allelic Use, P. A. Caplazi, Katherine I. O'Rourke, T. V. Baszler
Resistance To Scrapie In Prp Arr/Arq Heterozygous Sheep Is Not Caused By Preferential Allelic Use, P. A. Caplazi, Katherine I. O'Rourke, T. V. Baszler
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Scrapie is a prion disease in sheep that, similar to Kuru or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), requires both prion exposure and a genetic susceptibility. Susceptibility is defined by amino acid polymorphisms in the single copy prion protein (PrP) gene, Prnp. Specifically, in sheep homozygous for A at position 136 and R at position 154, susceptibility is defined by R or Q at position 171. The genotype ARQ/ARQ confers susceptibility, whereas (apart from a few reported exceptions) genotypes ARR/ARQ and ARR/ARR confer resistance. Similarly, a M/V polymorphism at Prnp codon 129 determines susceptibility to vCJD and Kuru,4 with partial resistance conferred …
Polymorphisms In The Prion Precursor Functional Gene But Not The Pseudogene Are Associated With Susceptibility To Chronic Wasting Disease In White-Tailed Deer, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Terry R. Spraker, Linda K. Hamburg, Thomas E. Besser, Kelly A. Brayton, Donald P. Knowles
Polymorphisms In The Prion Precursor Functional Gene But Not The Pseudogene Are Associated With Susceptibility To Chronic Wasting Disease In White-Tailed Deer, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Terry R. Spraker, Linda K. Hamburg, Thomas E. Besser, Kelly A. Brayton, Donald P. Knowles
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) status and PrP genotypes were determined for a group of 133 wild white-tailed deer in a 780 acre enclosure in western Nebraska, USA. Approximately half of the deer tested showed evidence of PrPd in the brainstem or lymphoid tissues. Four PRNP alleles encoding amino acid substitutions were identified, with substitutions at residues 95 (Q→H), 96 (G→S) or 116 (A→G), each with serine (S) at residue 138. In addition, a processed pseudogene with two alleles encoding five or six copies of the octapeptide repeat was identified in 26% of the deer. Both alleles encoded asparagine (N) …
Biology Of PrpSc Accumulation In Two Natural Scrapie-Infected Sheep Flocks, Patrick Caplazi, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Cynthia Wolf, Daniel Shaw, Timothy V. Baszler
Biology Of PrpSc Accumulation In Two Natural Scrapie-Infected Sheep Flocks, Patrick Caplazi, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Cynthia Wolf, Daniel Shaw, Timothy V. Baszler
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
Sheep scrapie is a prion disease that requires interaction of exogenous prions with host prion protein (PrP) supporting prion formation. Disease is associated with deposition of a host-generated conformational variant of PrP, PrPsc, in a variety of tissues, including brain, resulting in fatal spongiform encephalopathy. Efficiency of PrPsc formation is determined by polymorphisms in the PrP-coding sequence. This article adds to previous data of natural sheep scrapie, concentrating on the effect of host genotype and age on PrPsc accumulation patterns during preclinical and clinical disease. Two entire scrapie-infected, predominantly Suffolk-cross, sheep flocks euthanized for regulatory purposes …
Transmission Of Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy To Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) By Intracerebral Inoculation, Amir N. Hamir, Janice M. Miller, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Jason C. Bartz, Mick J. Stack, Melanie J. Chaplin
Transmission Of Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy To Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) By Intracerebral Inoculation, Amir N. Hamir, Janice M. Miller, Katherine I. O'Rourke, Jason C. Bartz, Mick J. Stack, Melanie J. Chaplin
Other Publications in Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease
To determine the transmissibility of transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) agent to raccoons and to provide information about clinical course, lesions, and suitability of currently used diagnostic procedures for detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in raccoons, 4 raccoon kits were inoculated intracerebrally with a brain suspension from mink experimentally infected with TME. One uninoculated raccoon kit served as a control. All 4 animals in the TME-inoculated group showed clinical signs of neurologic disorder and were euthanized between 21 and 23 weeks postinoculation (PI). Necropsy examinations revealed no gross lesions. Spongiform encephalopathy was observed by light microscopy, and the presence of …