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1.
Proc Biol Sci ; 289(1969): 20212087, 2022 02 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35193398

ABSTRACT

Predicting pathogen emergence and spillover risk requires understanding the determinants of a pathogens' host range and the traits involved in host competence. While host competence is often considered a fixed species-specific trait, it may be variable if pathogens diversify across hosts. Balancing selection can lead to maintenance of pathogen polymorphisms (multiple-niche-polymorphism; MNP). The causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), provides a model to study the evolution of host adaptation, as some Bb strains defined by their outer surface protein C (ospC) genotype, are widespread in white-footed mice and others are associated with non-rodent vertebrates (e.g. birds). To identify the mechanisms underlying potential strain × host adaptation, we infected American robins and white-footed mice, with three Bb strains of different ospC genotypes. Bb burdens varied by strain in a host-dependent fashion, and strain persistence in hosts largely corresponded to Bb survival at early infection stages and with transmission to larvae (i.e. fitness). Early survival phenotypes are associated with cell adhesion, complement evasion and/or inflammatory and antibody-mediated removal of Bb, suggesting directional selective pressure for host adaptation and the potential role of MNP in maintaining OspC diversity. Our findings will guide future investigations to inform eco-evolutionary models of host adaptation for microparasites.


Subject(s)
Borrelia burgdorferi Group , Borrelia burgdorferi , Lyme Disease , Animals , Borrelia burgdorferi/genetics , Borrelia burgdorferi Group/genetics , Host Adaptation , Peromyscus , Phenotype
2.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 26(6): 1315-1319, 2020 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32441636

ABSTRACT

During 2016-2017, three rabid terrestrial animals were discovered in the raccoon rabies virus-free zone of Long Island, New York, USA. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed the likely origins of the viruses, enabling the rabies outbreak response (often costly and time-consuming) to be done less expensively and more efficiently.


Subject(s)
Rabies Vaccines , Rabies virus , Rabies , Animals , Animals, Wild , New York/epidemiology , Phylogeny , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/veterinary , Rabies virus/genetics , Raccoons , Zoonoses
3.
Front Zool ; 16: 40, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31827569

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a mycosis caused by a cutaneous infection with the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). It produces hibernation mortality rates of 75-98% in 4 bats: Myotis lucifugus, M. septentrionalis, M. sodalis, and Perimyotis subflavus. These high mortality rates were observed during the first several years after the arrival of P. destructans at a hibernation site. Mortality is caused by a 60% decrease in torpor bout duration, which results in a premature depletion of depot fat prior to spring. RESULTS: Little is known about the long-term effects of Pd on torpor and mortality, thus we conducted a 9-year study on M. lucifugus at 5 of the hibernation sites where Pd first appeared in North America during the winter of 2007-08. The M. lucifugus hibernating at one of these sites one year after the arrival of Pd (2008-09) had: a) a mean torpor bout duration of 7.6 d, b) no depot fat reserves by March, and c) an apparent over-winter mortality rate of 88%. The M. lucifugus hibernating at this same site 6-9 years after the arrival of Pd, in contrast, had: a) a mean torpor bout duration of 14.7 d, b) depot fat remaining in March, and c) an apparent mortality rate of 50%. The number of M. lucifugus hibernating at 2 of these sites has consistently increased since 2010 and is now more than 3.0-fold higher than the number remaining after the winter of 2008-09. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that this population of M. lucifugus has evolved mechanisms to hibernate well in the presence of Pd, thus reducing over-winter mortality.

4.
J Virol ; 87(16): 9008-15, 2013 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23741002

ABSTRACT

Rabies virus (RABV) maintenance in bats is not well understood. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), and Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) are the most common bats species in the United States. These colonial bat species also have the most frequent contact with humans and domestic animals. However, the silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) RABV is associated with the majority of human rabies virus infections in the United States and Canada. This is of interest because silver-haired bats are more solitary bats with infrequent human interaction. Our goal was to determine the likelihood of a colonial bat species becoming infected with and transmitting a heterologous RABV. To ascertain the potential of heterologous RABV infection in colonial bat species, little brown bats were inoculated with a homologous RABV or one of two heterologous RABVs. Additionally, to determine if the route of exposure influenced the disease process, bats were inoculated either intramuscularly (i.m.) or subcutaneously (s.c.) with a homologous or heterologous RABV. Our results demonstrate that intramuscular inoculation results in a more rapid progression of disease onset, whereas the incubation time in bats inoculated s.c. is significantly longer. Additionally, cross protection was not consistently achieved in bats previously inoculated with a heterologous RABV following a challenge with a homologous RABV 6 months later. Finally, bats that developed rabies following s.c. inoculation were significantly more likely to shed virus in their saliva and demonstrated increased viral dissemination. In summary, bats inoculated via the s.c. route are more likely to shed virus, thus increasing the likelihood of transmission.


Subject(s)
Rabies virus/pathogenicity , Rabies/veterinary , Animals , Chiroptera , Disease Susceptibility , Rabies/pathology , Rabies/transmission , Rabies/virology , Rabies virus/immunology , Virus Shedding
5.
J Vis Exp ; (203)2024 Jan 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38314801

ABSTRACT

The rabies indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test was developed to detect various rabies-specific antibody isotypes in sera or cerebral spinal fluid. This test provides rapid results and can be used to detect rabies antibodies in several different scenarios. The rabies IFA test is especially useful for the quick and early detection of antibodies to evaluate the immune response in a patient who has developed rabies. Although other methods for antemortem rabies diagnosis take precedence, this test may be utilized to demonstrate recent rabies virus exposure through antibody detection. The IFA test does not provide a virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) titer, but the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) response can be evaluated through positive or negative antibody presence. This test can be utilized in various situations and can provide results for a number of different targets. In this study, we used several paired serum samples from individuals who received PrEP and demonstrated their rabies antibody presence over time using the IFA test.


Subject(s)
Rabies virus , Rabies , Humans , Immunoglobulin M , Antibodies, Viral , Immunoglobulin G
6.
Arch Virol ; 158(4): 809-20, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23208279

ABSTRACT

Rabies virus infection has been documented in several North American bat species, including Eptesicus fuscus. The virus-host relationship between bats and rabies virus (RV) is not well understood. The incidence of non-lethal RV exposure, based on the presence of viral neutralizing antibodies, demonstrates that exposure to RV does not always lead to clinical infection in bats. It is unknown how the route of exposure, rabies virus variant, or health of the bat affects the outcome following exposure. This paper describes the pathogenesis of two big brown bat RV variants in homologous host species. Our study demonstrates that RV variants obtained from the same species of bat from similar geographical areas may result in a diverse clinical progression of disease.


Subject(s)
Chiroptera/virology , Rabies virus/genetics , Rabies virus/physiology , Rabies/veterinary , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , DNA, Complementary/genetics , DNA, Viral/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Viral , Mice , Mice, Inbred ICR , Molecular Sequence Data , Rabies/virology , Rabies virus/classification , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Viral Proteins/genetics , Viral Proteins/metabolism
7.
mSystems ; 7(4): e0048822, 2022 08 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35938719

ABSTRACT

Host association-the selective adaptation of pathogens to specific host species-evolves through constant interactions between host and pathogens, leaving a lot yet to be discovered on immunological mechanisms and genomic determinants. The causative agents of Lyme disease (LD) are spirochete bacteria composed of multiple species of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, including B. burgdorferi (Bb), the main LD pathogen in North America-a useful model for the study of mechanisms underlying host-pathogen association. Host adaptation requires pathogens' ability to evade host immune responses, such as complement, the first-line innate immune defense mechanism. We tested the hypothesis that different host-adapted phenotypes among Bb strains are linked to polymorphic loci that confer complement evasion traits in a host-specific manner. We first examined the survivability of 20 Bb strains in sera in vitro and/or bloodstream and tissues in vivo from rodent and avian LD models. Three groups of complement-dependent host-association phenotypes emerged. We analyzed complement-evasion genes, identified a priori among all strains and sequenced and compared genomes for individual strains representing each phenotype. The evolutionary history of ospC loci is correlated with host-specific complement-evasion phenotypes, while comparative genomics suggests that several gene families and loci are potentially involved in host association. This multidisciplinary work provides novel insights into the functional evolution of host-adapted phenotypes, building a foundation for further investigation of the immunological and genomic determinants of host association. IMPORTANCE Host association is the phenotype that is commonly found in many pathogens that preferential survive in particular hosts. The Lyme disease (LD)-causing agent, B. burgdorferi (Bb), is an ideal model to study host association, as Bb is mainly maintained in nature through rodent and avian hosts. A widespread yet untested concept posits that host association in Bb strains is linked to Bb functional genetic variation conferring evasion to complement, an innate defense mechanism in vertebrate sera. Here, we tested this concept by grouping 20 Bb strains into three complement-dependent host-association phenotypes based on their survivability in sera and/or bloodstream and distal tissues in rodent and avian LD models. Phylogenomic analysis of these strains further correlated several gene families and loci, including ospC, with host-specific complement-evasion phenotypes. Such multifaceted studies thus pave the road to further identify the determinants of host association, providing mechanistic insights into host-pathogen interaction.


Subject(s)
Borrelia burgdorferi , Borrelia , Lyme Disease , Humans , Phylogeny , Lyme Disease/genetics , Borrelia burgdorferi/genetics , Complement System Proteins/genetics
8.
Int J Parasitol ; 51(2-3): 149-157, 2021 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33130214

ABSTRACT

Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick, is an invasive ixodid tick that has rapidly spread across the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States since first reported in 2017. The emergence of H. longicornis presents a potential threat for livestock, wildlife, and human health as the host associations and vector potential of this invasive pest in the United States are poorly understood. Previous field data from the United States has shown that H. longicornis was not associated with natural populations of small mammals or birds, but they show a preference for medium sized mammals in laboratory experiments. Therefore, medium and large sized mammals were sampled on Staten Island, New York, United States, to determine H. longicornis host associations and vector potential for a range of human and veterinary pathogens. A total of 97 hosts were sampled and five species of tick (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, H. longicornis, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes cookei) were found feeding concurrently on these hosts. Haemaphysalis longicornis was found in the highest proportions compared with other native tick species on raccoons (55.4%), Virginia opossums (28.9%), and white-tailed deer (11.5%). Tissue, blood, and engorged larvae were tested for 17 different pathogens using a nanoscale PCR platform. Infection with five pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Mycoplasma haemocanis, and Bartonella spp.) was detected in host samples, but no pathogens were found in any larval samples. These results suggest that although large and medium sized mammals feed large numbers of H. longicornis ticks in the environment, there is presently a low potential for H. longicornis to acquire pathogens from these wildlife hosts.


Subject(s)
Deer , Didelphis/parasitology , Ixodes , Raccoons/parasitology , Tick Infestations , Animals , Deer/parasitology , Ixodes/microbiology , Mycoplasma , New York City , Tick Infestations/epidemiology , Tick Infestations/veterinary
9.
Infect Ecol Epidemiol ; 10(1): 1840773, 2020 Oct 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33224448

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine if Puerto Rican bats had previous exposure to rabies virus based on viral neutralizing antibodies. Our results demonstrate that 6.5% of the bats in this study had some exposure to rabies virus. The route of exposure is unknown but may have occurred following interaction with a rabid terrestrial animal or an unidentified bat rabies virus.

10.
Public Health Rep ; 134(1): 57-62, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30508492

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Each year, rabies virus infection results in the death of more than 50 000 persons worldwide. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 23 human rabies cases from May 1, 2008, through October 1, 2017. Although rabies testing in the United States is highly reliable, some specimens submitted to rabies laboratories do not have adequate tissues or may be substantially decomposed. In these instances, the specimen may be considered unsatisfactory for testing or produce indeterminate results using the gold standard direct fluorescent antibody test. The objective of this study was to evaluate the number of unsatisfactory samples or samples with indeterminate results that were positive for rabies virus after additional testing using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: In 2016, we retested all unsatisfactory specimens or specimens with indeterminate results using real-time RT-PCR. We further typed any sample that was real-time RT-PCR positive to identify the infecting rabies virus variant. RESULTS: Of 210 retested unsatisfactory specimens or specimens with indeterminate results, 9 (4.3%) were positive for rabies. In each case, the animal was infected with a homologous rabies virus variant. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the recommendation by CDC and state public health laboratories that indeterminate results should be considered positive and justify the prompt treatment of exposed persons through an animal that is suspected to have rabies.


Subject(s)
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct , RNA, Viral/genetics , Rabies virus/isolation & purification , Rabies/diagnosis , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Animals , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct/veterinary , Humans , RNA, Viral/isolation & purification , Rabies/veterinary , Rabies virus/genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Specimen Handling/veterinary , United States/epidemiology
11.
J Vis Exp ; (149)2019 07 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31424434

ABSTRACT

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Rabies Laboratory receives between 6,000 to 9,000 specimens annually and performs rabies testing for the entire state, with the exception of New York City. The Rabies laboratory necropsies a variety of animals ranging in size from bats to bovids. Most of these specimens are animals exhibiting neurological signs, however, less than 10% actually test positive for rabies; implying trauma, lesions or other infectious agents as the cause of these symptoms. Due to the risk of aerosolizing undiagnosed infectious agents, the Rabies Laboratory does not use power tools or saws. Three necropsy techniques will be presented for animals whose skulls are impenetrable with scissors. The laboratory has implemented these techniques to decrease potential exposure to infectious agents, eliminate unnecessary manipulation of the specimen and reduce processing time. The advantages of a preferred technique opposed to another is subject to the trained individual processing the specimen.


Subject(s)
Autopsy/methods , Rabies/pathology , Animals , Rabies virus , Skull
12.
PLoS One ; 13(5): e0197074, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29768505

ABSTRACT

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that requires fast, accurate diagnosis to prevent disease in an exposed individual. The current gold standard for post-mortem diagnosis of human and animal rabies is the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test. While the DFA test has proven sensitive and reliable, it requires high quality antibody conjugates, a skilled technician, a fluorescence microscope and diagnostic specimen of sufficient quality. The LN34 pan-lyssavirus real-time RT-PCR assay represents a strong candidate for rabies post-mortem diagnostics due to its ability to detect RNA across the diverse Lyssavirus genus, its high sensitivity, its potential for use with deteriorated tissues, and its simple, easy to implement design. Here, we present data from a multi-site evaluation of the LN34 assay in 14 laboratories. A total of 2,978 samples (1,049 DFA positive) from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East were tested. The LN34 assay exhibited low variability in repeatability and reproducibility studies and was capable of detecting viral RNA in fresh, frozen, archived, deteriorated and formalin-fixed brain tissue. The LN34 assay displayed high diagnostic specificity (99.68%) and sensitivity (99.90%) when compared to the DFA test, and no DFA positive samples were negative by the LN34 assay. The LN34 assay produced definitive findings for 80 samples that were inconclusive or untestable by DFA; 29 were positive. Five samples were inconclusive by the LN34 assay, and only one sample was inconclusive by both tests. Furthermore, use of the LN34 assay led to the identification of one false negative and 11 false positive DFA results. Together, these results demonstrate the reliability and robustness of the LN34 assay and support a role for the LN34 assay in improving rabies diagnostics and surveillance.


Subject(s)
Lyssavirus/genetics , RNA, Viral/genetics , Rabies , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Animals , Diagnosis , Humans , Rabies/diagnosis , Rabies/genetics
13.
J Virol Methods ; 234: 52-3, 2016 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27079827

ABSTRACT

An examination using the routine rabies direct fluorescent antibody test was performed on rabies or Eastern equine encephalitis positive mammalian brain tissue to assess inactivation of the virus. Neither virus was inactivated with acetone fixation nor the routine test, thus laboratory employees should treat all samples as rabies and when appropriate Eastern equine encephalitis positive throughout the whole procedure.


Subject(s)
Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine/physiology , Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine/veterinary , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct , Rabies virus/immunology , Rabies virus/physiology , Virus Inactivation , Acetone/chemistry , Acetone/pharmacology , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/chemistry , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Brain/virology , Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine/immunology , Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine/diagnosis , Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine/immunology , Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine/virology , Histological Techniques/methods , Horses , Humans , Rabies/veterinary , Staining and Labeling/methods , Staining and Labeling/standards
14.
Dev Comp Immunol ; 65: 114-123, 2016 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27377583

ABSTRACT

Bat immunity has received increasing attention because some bat species are being decimated by the fungal disease, White Nose Syndrome, while other species are potential reservoirs of zoonotic viruses. Identifying specific immune processes requires new specific tools and reagents. In this study, we describe a new mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) reactive with Eptesicus fuscus immunoglobulins. The epitope recognized by mAb BT1-4F10 was localized to immunoglobulin light (lambda) chains; hence, the mAb recognized serum immunoglobulins and B lymphocytes. The BT1-4F10 epitope appeared to be restricted to Microchiropteran immunoglobulins and absent from Megachiropteran immunoglobulins. Analyses of sera and other E. fuscus fluids showed that most, if not all, secreted immunoglobulins utilized lambda light chains. Finally, mAb BT1-4F10 permitted the identification of B cell follicles in splenic white pulp. This Microchiropteran-specific mAb has potential utility in seroassays; hence, this reagent may have both basic and practical applications for studying immune process.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Fungal/isolation & purification , Antibodies, Monoclonal/isolation & purification , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Chiroptera/immunology , Mycoses/immunology , Zoonoses/immunology , Animals , Cell Line , Cell Separation , Epitope Mapping , Flow Cytometry , Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains/immunology , Immunophenotyping , Mice , Microscopy
15.
PLoS One ; 11(5): e0155542, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27195489

ABSTRACT

Silver-haired bats, (Lasionycteris noctivagans) are semi-colonial, migratory tree bats that have infrequent contact with humans. Despite the species rarity, the L. noctivagans rabies variant is the most commonly reported rabies virus variant (RABV) in domestically acquired human rabies cases in the US. Unlike big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), L. noctivagans are not considered true hibernators. It is unknown if RABV can overwinter in hibernating L. noctivagans or is only maintained in members of this taxa that migrate to warmer climates. To better understand RABV overwintering in this species, L. noctivagans were inoculated intramuscularly with either a homologous RABV (L. noctivagans Virus 1) or one of two heterologous RABV (Eptesicus fuscus Virus 2 and Myotis lucifugus Virus 1). Five days following inoculation, L. noctivagans were placed in a hibernation chamber for 6 weeks. Our results demonstrate that rabies virus can overwinter in L. noctivagans yet the incubation period was extended 6 weeks when compared to bats maintained at ambient temperatures. Additionally, we found that the longer the incubation period, the greater the viral dissemination to the salivary glands. Similar to our previous studies, L. noctivagans were most susceptible to a homologous variant. In summary, we found that RABV incubation is extended following a subcutaneous exposure or maintenance in hibernation and longer incubation times increase dissemination and potential for transmission.


Subject(s)
Animal Migration , Chiroptera/virology , Hibernation , Rabies virus , Rabies/veterinary , Animals , Female , Male , RNA, Viral/isolation & purification , Salivary Glands/virology , Seasons , Seroconversion , Species Specificity , Temperature
16.
J Wildl Dis ; 51(1): 287-9, 2015 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25380356

ABSTRACT

All mammals are believed susceptible to rabies virus infection, yet transmission from nonreservoir hosts to humans is uncommon. However, interactions between nonreservoir hosts and humans occur frequently and risk of exposure increases where rabies is enzootic. We describe rabies and apparent pantropism of rabies virus in a beaver (Castor canadensis).


Subject(s)
Antigens, Viral/isolation & purification , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Rabies virus/isolation & purification , Rabies/veterinary , Rodentia , Viral Load/veterinary , Animals , Bites and Stings , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rabies/diagnosis
17.
Disabil Rehabil ; 37(9): 802-11, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25026507

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To develop and validate the diabetes knowledge assessment test (DKAT), an assessment designed to measure diabetes knowledge of medical rehabilitation patients with or without diabetes. METHODS: Content validity methods were used to develop the DKAT, which was administered to rehabilitation patients to examine psychometric properties. RESULTS: Subjects were 75 inpatients (56% with diabetes; 45% male), and 75 outpatients (49% with diabetes; 69% male). The initial DKAT consisted of 49 items, which was reduced to 32 items based on psychometric criteria. Point-biserial item discrimination indices ranged from 0.26 to 0.61. Item difficulty indices ranged from 27 to 96%. Cronbach's alpha was 0.82. Known groups construct validity comparisons revealed that patients with diabetes obtained significantly higher DKAT scores than patients without diabetes (p = 0.01), supporting construct validity. Scores did not differ significantly by gender, educational attainment, age, or outpatient versus inpatient (all p > 0.05), further supporting construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis identified two factors: "Complications" and "Risks-Symptoms-Management". CONCLUSIONS: Findings support claims that DKAT scores are valid and reliable for diabetes knowledge assessment across a range of rehabilitation conditions. It is appropriate for use with persons with or without diabetes engaging in rehabilitation services as an inpatient or outpatient. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Medical rehabilitation patients represent an important population in which to assess core diabetes knowledge due to the extremely high prevalence of diabetes. We were unable to identify instruments with validity evidence aimed at assessing diabetes knowledge in rehabilitation populations, therefore undertook development of the DKAT. The DKAT represents a psychometrically promising assessment that can inform individuals at risk with the signs and symptoms of diabetes, as well as behavioral actions to reduce risk. The DKAT can also be used to identify those with a diagnosis of diabetes in need of formal diabetes education.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/rehabilitation , Educational Measurement , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Inpatients/education , Outpatients/education , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Psychometrics
18.
Am J Cardiol ; 92(5): 603-6, 2003 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12943887

ABSTRACT

We performed treadmill exercise magnetic resonance imaging in 27 patients with exertional chest pain who were referred for contrast coronary angiography to determine the feasibility of this method to identify severe coronary artery stenoses. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting >70% coronary artery luminal diameter narrowings on contrast coronary angiography were 79% and 85%, respectively.


Subject(s)
Coronary Stenosis/diagnosis , Exercise Test/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Adenosine , Aged , Cardiotonic Agents , Coronary Angiography/methods , Coronary Stenosis/classification , Coronary Stenosis/complications , Dobutamine , Electrocardiography , Exercise Test/instrumentation , Exercise Test/standards , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/standards , Male , Middle Aged , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness Index , Single-Blind Method , Time Factors , Vasodilator Agents , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/etiology , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology
19.
J Wildl Dis ; 40(3): 403-13, 2004 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15465706

ABSTRACT

Our research has focused on the ecology of commensal populations of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Fort Collins, Colorado (USA), in relation to rabies virus (RV) transmission. We captured 35 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in late summer 2001 and held them captive for 4.8 mo. The bats were initially placed in an indoor cage for 1 mo then segregated into groups of two to six per cage. Two of the bats succumbed to rabies virus (RV) within the first month of capture. Despite group housing, all of the remaining bats were healthy over the course of the investigation; none developed rabies, although one of the rabid bats was observed to bite her cage mates. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Taqman real-time PCR analysis of the RNA derived from the brain tissue, salivary glands, and oral swab samples confirmed RV infection in the dead bats. Rabies virus was also isolated from the brain tissue upon passage in mouse neuroblastoma cells. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the RV nucleoprotein (N) gene showed 100% identity with the N gene sequence of a 1985 E. fuscus isolate from El Paso County, Colorado. Bat sera obtained six times throughout the study were assayed for RV neutralizing antibodies using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. The RV neutralizing activity in the serum was associated with the IgG component, which was purified by binding to protein G Sepharose. Five bats were RV seropositive prior to their capture and maintained titers throughout captivity. Two adult bats seroconverted during captivity. Two volant juvenile bats had detectable RV antibody titers at the first serum collection but were negative thereafter. Four seronegative bats responded to a RV vaccine administration with high titers of RV antibodies. A serologic survey of big brown bats in the roost from which one of the captive rabid bats had originated showed a significant rise in seroprevalence during 2002.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Chiroptera/virology , RNA, Viral/analysis , Rabies virus/isolation & purification , Rabies/veterinary , Animals , Base Sequence , Brain/virology , Colorado/epidemiology , Female , Male , Neutralization Tests/veterinary , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/transmission , Rabies virus/immunology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Viral Load/veterinary
20.
Prog Cardiovasc Nurs ; 19(2): 60-7, 2004.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15133380

ABSTRACT

Recent advancements in magnetic resonance imaging hardware and software permit the assessment of cardiovascular structure and function at rest and during exercise or pharmacology-induced cardiac stress. With these developments, knowledge of cardiovascular imaging protocols in the magnetic resonance imaging environment is critical for nursing personnel. The purpose of this article is to review information pertinent to working in a magnetic resonance imaging environment and to describe the requirements of nursing personnel performing cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging examinations.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Contraindications , Exercise Test/methods , Heart Function Tests/methods , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/adverse effects , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/nursing , Nurse's Role , Nursing Assessment , Patient Education as Topic , Safety Management
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