Observations on pathogenic organisms in the airborne state

Summary Increasing numbers of human and animal diseases have been shown to be disseminated by micro-organisms in aerial suspension. The viability of such airborne organisms declines progressively as the result of physical and other factors which are summarized in the text. Relative humidity strongly influenced viability in experimental studies, but strain differences also appear to play an important role in certain diseases. Laboratory results were confirmed by observations made in the field on poliomyelitis, smallpox, foot and mouth disease, rinderpest and Newcastle disease; it is probable that Marek's disease, avian infectious bronchitis and numerous other maladies spread in the same manner. Long range dissemination by airstreams may be influenced, to some extent, by the virulence of the causal agent and by the fall-out rate for particles of a size which is optimal for deposition at the predilection site of the specific organism. Furthermore, local geographical and climatic factors may greatly modify distributional patterns of airborne disease during major epidemics or epizootics: specific outbreaks are cited as examples.

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Sumario Se ha demostrado que un número criente de enfermedades tanto en el hombre como en los animales son diseminadas por micro-organismos que se encuentran en suspension en el aire. La viabilidad de tales micro-organismos en el aire declina en forma progresiva como resultado de factores fisicos y otros factores sumarizados en el texto. La humedad relativa influencia de manera especial la viabilidad en estudios experimentales, pero las diferencias entre las cepas tambien parece jugar un importante rol en algunas enfermedades. Resultados de laboratorio fueron confirmados por observaciones hechas en el campo sobre poliomielitis, viruela, fiebre aftosa, peste bovina y enfermedad de Newcastle; Es probable que la enfermedad de Marek. la bronquitis infecciosa aviar y otras numerosas enfermedades seandiseminadas de la misma manera. La diseminación a grandes distancias por corrientes de aire puede ser influenciada, hasta cierto punto, por la virulencia del agente causal y por la tasa de acentamiento para particulas de un tama?o, las cuales son óptimas para su acentamiento en el lugar de predilección del organismo específico. Mas aun, factores locales geográficos y climáticos pueden modificar grandemente los patrones de distribución de enfermedades diseminadas por el aire durante grandes epidemias ó epizootias: Se citan como ejemplos brotes específicos.

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Résumé Il a été démontré qu'un nombre croissant de maladies humaine et animale sont dísséminées par des microorganismes en suspension dans l'atmosphère. La viabilité de tels agents pathogènes décroit progressivement en fonction de l'influence des facteurs physiques et autres qui sont énumérés dans ce texte. L'humidité relative influence fortement cette possibilité de survie comme l'ont montré des études expérimentales, mais des différences de souches semblent aussi jouer un r?le important pour certaines maladies. Les résultats expérimentaux ont été confirmés par des observations faites sur le terrain à propos de la poliomyélite, la variole, la fièvre aphteuse, la peste bovine et la maladie de Newcastle; il est probable que la maladie de Marek, la bronchite infectieuse aviaire et de nombreuses autres infections se répandent de la même manière. La dissémination à longue distance par les courants aériens peut être influencée, dans une certaine mesure, par la virulence de l'agent causal et par le pourcentage de particules dont la taille est optimale pour leur arrivée au site d'élection du microorganisme spécifique. En outre, des facteurs géographique et climatique locaux peuvent grandement modifier le schéma épidémiologique des maladies disséminées par voie aérienne; des foyers spécifiques sont cités en example.

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Based on a paper presented at a Meeting of the Central Canada Veterinary Association on 9th December 1970.     

Comparison of genome segments 2, 7 and 10 of bluetongue viruses serotype 2 for differentiation between field isolates and the vaccine strain

Bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 2 (BTV 2) was first confirmed in Tunisia in February 2000 and has since spread northward and westward, infecting several other countries and islands, including Corsica, where clinical disease was reported in October 2000. BT was again reported on the Island in July 2001, some six months after a vaccination campaign against BTV 2. The molecular relationship between isolates of the BTV 2 Corsican wild-type viruses from 2000 and 2001, and the attenuated BTV 2 vaccine were determined by comparing corresponding sequences of genome segments 2, 7 and 10 with each other and with already published sequences available in the genome database. Complete genetic stability was observed between the isolates of the Corsican BTV 2. There was some divergence between the nucleotide sequences of segment 10 obtained from the wild-type and vaccine virus strains. Based on these differences, primers were selected that could be used in RT-PCR to differentiate between the wild-type and the vaccine viruses.     

Detection, quantification, and pharmacokinetics of furosemide and its effects on urinary specific gravity following IV administration to horses

Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for the prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses. This drug may interfere with the detection of other substances by reducing urinary concentrations, so its use is strictly regulated. The regulation of furosemide in many racing jurisdictions is based on paired limits of urinary SG (<1.010) and serum furosemide concentrations (>100 ng/ml). To validate this regulatory mechanism, a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method employing a solid-phase extraction procedure and furosemide-d5 as an internal standard was developed. The method was used to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of furosemide in equine serum samples and its effects on urinary SG after IV administration (250 mg) to 10 horses. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that serum concentrations of furosemide were well described by a two-compartmental open model. Based on results in this study, it is very unlikely for horses to have serum furosemide concentrations greater than 100 ng/ml or urine SG less than 1.010 at 4 hours after administration (250 mg IV). However, it should be remembered that urine SG is a highly variable measurement in horses, and even without furosemide administration, some horses might naturally have urine SG values less than 1.010.     

Monitoring of atrazine treatment on soil bacterial,fungal and atrazine-degrading communities by quantitative competitive PCR

We report the development of quantitative competitive (QC) PCR assays for quantifying the 16S, 18S ribosomal and atzC genes in nucleic acids directly extracted from soil. QC-PCR assays were standardised, calibrated and evaluated with an experimental study aiming to evaluate the impact of atrazine application on soil microflora. Comparison of QC-PCR 16S and 18S results with those of soil microbial biomass showed that, following atrazine application, the microbial biomass was not affected and that the amount of 16S rDNA gene representing 'bacteria' increased transitorily, while the amount of 18S rDNA gene representing fungi decreased in soil. In addition, comparison of atzC QC-PCR results with those of atrazine mineralisation revealed that, in response to atrazine treatment, the amount of atzC gene increased transitorily in soil pre-treated with atrazine, suggesting that accelerated atrazine biodegradation in soil could be due to a transient increase in the size of the atrazine mineralising community.     

Epidemiology and control of an outbreak of classical swine fever in wild boar in Switzerland

An outbreak of classical swine fever in wild boar in the southern part of Switzerland (Canton of Ticino) was investigated after the implementation of control measures in a defined infected area (the risk zone), and in a surrounding surveillance zone (the non-risk zone). After the disease had been detected, hunting was not allowed in the risk zone for over six months, during which the disease was left to run its course, but hunting was continued in the non-risk zone for one month. After seven months, a hunting strategy targeted at young animals was implemented in both zones. Between May 1998 and January 2000,1294 wild boar were shot or found dead, and diagnostic and biological data were collected and analysed. Only one animal from the non-risk zone was found to be seropositive for antibodies to the virus, whereas 179 of 528 wild boar from the risk zone were virus positive and 162 were seropositive. The proportion of virus-positive animals decreased from 62.7 per cent to zero over one year. During the first hunting season, seropositive animals were found in all age groups, but 12 months later only animals more than one year old had antibodies against the virus.     

Incidence of reinfections with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in pig farms located in respiratory-disease-free regions of Switzerland--identification and quantification of risk factors

The objective of the study was to identify risk factors for reintroduction of Actinobacillus pleuopneumoniae and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (enzootic pneumonia) onto pig farms in areas in Switzerland that were involved in an eradication programme from 1996 to 1999 and to assess the role of dealers in relation to these reinfections. The study was based on the comparison of pig farms that were reinfected in the year 2000 (cases) and pig farms that remained uninfected in the same area (controls). Additionally, data were collected from Swiss pig dealers and transport companies. Out of a total of 3983 farms, 107 farms were reinfected in the year 2000. The incidences were 0.1% for Actinobacillus pleuopneumoniae and 2.6% for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (enzootic pneumonia). Compared to reinfection rates prior to the eradication programme, this is a considerable reduction. Statistically significant risk factors for the reinfection were 'finishing farm', 'large mixed breeding-finishing farm', 'reinfected neighbour' and 'parking site for pig transport vehicles close to the farm'. Pig farmers that purchased pigs from only one supplier per batch had a lower risk of reintroducing infection (protective factor). As long as infected and uninfected regions co-exist in Switzerland, direct and indirect contact between farms, pig herds and slaughter sites via transport vehicles are a major pathway of disease spread. Risk management measures linked to these contacts are therefore of key importance. The survey of dealers indicated various areas for improvement such as strategic planning of pick-up routes or cleaning and disinfecting of trucks.