Using Earth observation images to inform risk assessment and mapping of climate change-related infectious diseases.

The number of human cases of several climate-related infectious diseases, including tick- and mosquito-borne diseases, has increased in Canada and other parts of the world since the end of the last century. Predicting and mapping the risks associated with these diseases using environmental and climatic determinants derived from satellite images is an emerging method that can support research, surveillance, prevention and control activities and help to better assess the impacts of climate change in Canada. Earth observation images can be used to systematically monitor changes in the Earth's surface and atmosphere at different scales of time and space. These images can inform estimation and monitoring of environmental and climatic determinants, and thus disease prediction and risk mapping. The current array of Earth observation satellites provides access to a large quantity and variety of data. These data have different characteristics in terms of spatial, temporal and thematic precision and resolution. The objectives of this overview are to describe how Earth observation images may inform risk assessment and mapping of tick-borne and mosquito-borne diseases in Canada, their potential benefits and limitations, the implications and next steps.

Investigation of ground level and remote-sensed data for habitat classification and prediction of survival of Ixodes scapularis in habitats of southeastern Canada.

In southeastern Canada, most populations of Ixodes scapularis Say, the Lyme disease vector, occur in Carolinian forests. Climate change projections suggest a northward range expansion of I. scapularis this century, but it is unclear whether more northerly habitats are suitable for I. scapularis survival. In this study, we assessed the suitability of woodlands of the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain region for I. scapularis by comparing tick egg survival in four different woodlands. Woodlands where I. scapularis are established, and sand dune where I. scapularis do not survive, served as positive and negative control sites, respectively. At two woodland sites, egg survival was the same as at the positive control site, but at two of the sites survival was significantly less than either the positive control site, or one of the other test sites. Egg survival in all woodland sites was significantly higher than in the sand dune site. Ground level habitat classification discriminated among woodlands in which tick survival differed. The likelihood that I. scapularis populations could persist in the different habitats, as deduced using a population model of I. scapularis, was significantly associated with variations in Landsat 7 ETM+ data (normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI] and Tasselled Cap indices). The NDVI index predicted habitat suitability at Long Point, Ontario, with high sensitivity but moderate specificity. Our study suggests that I. scapularis populations could establish in more northerly woodland types than those in which they currently exist. Suitable habitats may be detected by ground-level habitat classification, and remote-sensed data may assist this process.

Summary: Assessing the public health risks of microbial contamination in recreational waters by satellite imagery.

BACKGROUND: Fecal contamination of recreational waters may lead to gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, dermatitis and ear infections. In addition to directly testing waters for contamination, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the assessment of environmental factors known to influence water quality as part of monitoring efforts. Measurement of these factors using satellite imagery may be helpful in Canada where monitoring over large areas or difficult to access locations is needed. OBJECTIVE: To assess the added value of using satellite imagery as part of monitoring and managing microbial risks associated with recreational waters in Canada. METHODS: Satellite images were used to calculate five environmental indices that may affect the risk of contamination of recreational waters: agricultural land, urban areas (impervious surfaces), forest and wetlands. Statistical models including these indices were then compared with the average contamination level of beaches in southern Quebec, Canada. Various satellite sensors were compared against criteria of accuracy and performance. OUTCOMES: Satellite imagery classification performed well for the study area. Two of the variables were significantly associated with higher coliform levels: agricultural land and urban areas. In the context of this assessment, the Landsat-5 sensor offered the best cost-benefit ratio. CONCLUSION: Satellite imagery can be used to identify environmental factors associated with a higher risk of fecal contamination of recreational waters in Canada and may supplement current monitoring and risk assessment efforts.

Efficacy of tumor cell vaccine after incorporating monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) in tumor cell membranes containing tumor-associated ganglioside.

Murine B16 melanoma expresses the ganglioside GM3. GM3 shed from tumor cells is immunosuppressive and promotes tumor growth. Reduction or elimination of the shed GM3 could be therapeutic, and the anti-GM3 antibodies may reduce and clear the shed ganglioside. To test this hypothesis, mice were challenged with tumor cells, with or without inducing anti-GM3 antibody response. Since gangliosides are poor immunogens and T-cell independent antigens, an adjuvant (monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), a non-toxic lipid A of Salmonella), directed against B-cells, was employed. MPL was incorporated onto liposomes and into the surface membrane of B16 mouse melanoma cells; both are rich in GM3. C57BL/6J mice immunized with MPL-liposomes or MPL-B16 cells responded with elevated levels of anti-GM3 IgM. Non-immunized mice or mice immunized with B16 cells alone or ganglioside GM3 alone (without MPL) elicited poor anti-GM3 IgM response, confirming the GM3's immunologic crypticity and MPL's immunopotentiating effect. MPL's immunopotentiating effect was improved by coupling it to melanoma cell membranes. C57BL/6J mice were immunized with irradiated B16 alone or MPL alone or MPL-conjugated irradiated B16. After three weekly immunizations, each mouse received a challenge dose of viable syngeneic B16. Neither MPL alone nor B16 alone had a significant effect on tumor growth or host survival; however, administration of MPL-conjugated B16 cells significantly prevented tumor growth and prolonged survival. Our results indicate that MPL-incorporated B16 cells augment the anti-GM3 IgM response, which may reverse GM3-induced immunosuppression by eliminating tumor-derived GM3, and restore immunocompetence.