Field evaluation of baits and baiting strategies for delivering oral vaccine to mongooses in Antigua, West Indies

A field of study was conducted on Antigua, West Indies to determine the feasibility of delivering an oral rabies vaccine or population control agent to free-ranging mongooses (Herpestes javanicua). Two biomarkers (tetracycline hydrochloride [THCL] and Dupoint Oil Blue A dye) and two bait types (Dupont polymer fish meal and polyurethane foam) were used to bait three study sites. Four hundred polymer baits containing both biomarkers were distributed at 36 central point bait stations (11 baits/station) on an 80 ha study site (5 baits/ha); 69 percent of the mongoose population consumed one or more baits. Two thousand baits containing THCL and 400 baits containing DuPont dye were distributed on two additional 100 ha study sites (24 baits/ha). Polymer fish meal baits were used on the first site and polyurethane baits on the second site. Based on the presence of biomarkers in bone or soft tissue, 96 to 97 percent of the mongooses at both sites consumed at least one bait. We conclude that oral baiting of mongooses is a feasible method for delivery of vaccines for the control of rabies in this species (AU)

Alizarin red in the study of the apposition and resorption of bone

Alizarin red is given intraperitoneally in dosages of 50-200 mg per kg. It stains visibly only one generation of bone. Its deposition is studied in gross specimens and in undecalcified sections, and is controlled by comparison with serial decalcified sections. Apposition of white bone can be followed in relation to red bone on periosteal surfaces (where it presents appearances corresponding to different growth rates), on endosteal surfaces, in osteons, and in the interstitial compaction of cancellous bone. Red surfaces may be sites of deposition, stasis, or resorption. Measurements may be made from red lines, provided microscopic control is available. Removal of red bone implies resorption. It is closely correlated with the presence of osteoclaasts in control sections and with areas of surface pitting grossly. Resorbing surfaces may be precicely delimited by studing a graded series of animals. Whole surfaces or zones of stained bone are seen to drift to other situations, undergoing resorptive dissolution or consolidating anew as they move relative to the newer layers. The usefullness of the dye lies in its simplicity of administration, its ready visibility, and the fact that its persistence in bone enables the fate of areas of bone to be followed over long periods. The preparation of undecalcified sections is a problem common to many other techniques

A comparison of results of hemagglutination and dye tests for Toxoplasmosis in a survey of Trinidad natives

Excellent agreement as to positivity and negativity between the dye and hemagglutination tests for toxoplasmosis was obtained in a survey of 121 Trinidad natives. There was also close agreement as to titer. The overall prevalence revealed was 54.5 per cent. Even in the first decade of life, a high prevalence of antibodies was found (Summary)