Clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic features of plague in cats: 119 cases (1977-1988).

The clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic features of 119 cases of plague in cats from 1977 to 1988 in New Mexico were reviewed. Fifty-three percent were bubonic, 10% were pneumonic, 8% were septicemic, and 29% with neither buboes nor pneumonia were unclassified (but presumed septicemic). Three quarters of the lymphadenopathy was submandibular, and almost half of this was bilateral. One third of all cats had the triad of lethargy, anorexia, and fever in addition to buboes; one quarter had this triad plus abscesses. The overall mortality rate was 33%, with the greatest risk of death in pneumonic cases. For confirmatory diagnosis with a single laboratory test, fluorescent antibody was most frequently used (39% of cases). Cultures and passive hemagluttination titers were also used for confirmation. Gross and histologic findings depended on the type of plague, with Yersinia pestis organisms visualized in buboes of cats with bubonic plague and in the alveolar spaces and respiratory tubules of cats with pneumonic plague.

Feline plague in New Mexico: report of five cases.

Naturally acquired plague was diagnosed in 5 domestic cats. The cats apparently contracted the disease through contact with sylvatic rodents or their fleas in plague-enzootic areas. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence and isolation of Yersinia pestis on culture of abscess material. Abscess formation, lymphadenitis, lethargy, and fever were consistent clinical findings.

Anti-rabies treatments in New Mexico: impact of a comprehensive consultation-biologics system.

Fewer than 20% of the 30,000 anti-rabies treatments administered in the United States each year are necessary. New Mexico established a comprehensive consultation-biologics program to assist physicians in making appropriate and systematic rabies treatment decisions. In 1978, 32 individuals received anti-rabies treatments as the result of 144 physician consultation requests. Dog and cat exposures accounted for 70 per cent of consultations and 63 per cent of the treatments. A seasonal peak of both consultations and treatments was observed in the summer and early autumn. The cost of biologics was $212 per treatment. Coordinated use of laboratory diagnostic services and animal control resources obviated the need for treatment in over 60 per cent of the 112 consultations not resulting in treatment. Experience in 1978 suggested that the system was probably responsible for a greater than five-fold reduction in the annual rate of anti-rabies treatments in New Mexico. Efficient physician utilization and high acceptability of the program may be attributed to maximization of private sector input into design and implementation of this public health program.

Animal bites as an occupational hazard among animal control officers.

One hundred-and-two full-time animal control officers (ACOs) in New Mexico were surveyed to learn about animal bite risks in this little-studied occupational group. The overall bite rate was 2.57 per working-year (175-500 times population-based rate estimates). A "high risk" ACO subset (seven officers involved in 67 per cent of bite incidents) was discovered. Evaluation of animal bite data can contribute to prevention of occupational injuries among the estimated 10,000 full-time ACOs in this country.

The advent of human diploid cell rabies vaccine: impact on vaccine utilization in New Mexico.

Three months' experience with the newly licensed human diploid cell rabies vaccine in the New Mexico comprehensive consultation-biologics system was reviewed. Comparison with the same period in 1978 and 1979 showed no increase in vaccine utilization despite the advent of this simpler-to-use, safer rabies vaccine. Anti-rabies treatments appear to be minimally influenced by new vaccine technology when a comprehensive consultation system is available to support and guide the private physician.

Feline plague in New Mexico: risk factors and transmission to humans.

The epidemiologic features of 60 cases of feline plague from 1977-1985 in New Mexico are reviewed. The most frequent clinical presentation was lethargy, anorexia, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes or abscesses. A history of hunting rodents was reported in 75 per cent of all cases. Five human plague cases were associated with five feline cases. Recommendations are presented for prevention of plague infection and transmission to humans, including restraining cats from roaming and hunting by neutering and keeping them indoors, treating them for fleas, and seeking medical care for febrile illnesses, especially when accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes.