FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IN EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED MULE DEER (ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS).

The only known outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in wildlife in the US occurred in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in California in 1924-25. There is little recorded information on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the disease in deer in that outbreak. In this experimental study, we compared the susceptibility of mule deer to FMD virus (FMDV) serotype O to that of cattle (Bos taurus). We also determined the potential for intra- and interspecies transmission of FMDV serotype O in mule deer and cattle, and assessed conventional laboratory tests in their ability to detect FMDV in mule deer. Two mule deer and one steer were each infected by intraepithelial tongue inoculation with 10,000 bovine tongue infective doses of FMDV, strain O1 Manisa. The inoculated steer and deer were kept in the same room with contact animals of both species. Exposed contact animals were moved to rooms with unexposed animals after becoming febrile. All mule deer (n=14) and cattle (n=6) developed clinical signs and lesions consistent with FMDV infection. Deer had a high prevalence of myocarditis and high mortality. Virus was transmitted between mule deer, from cattle to mule deer, and from mule deer to cattle. Virus and antibodies against nonstructural FMDV proteins in mule deer and cattle were detected by conventional laboratory tests. Virus shedding was detected by PCR and virus isolation up to 9 d postexposure in deer.

Phase I/II marker lesion study of intravesical BC-819 DNA plasmid in H19 over expressing superficial bladder cancer refractory to bacillus Calmette-Guerin.

PURPOSE: We studied the safety and preliminary efficacy (marker tumor ablation) of 5 doses of BC-819 given as 6 intravesical infusions in patients with superficial bladder cancer in whom intravesical therapy with bacillus Calmette-Guerin had failed. BC-819 is a DNA plasmid that contains H19 gene regulatory sequences that drive the expression of an intracellular toxin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients in 4 groups of 3 and 1 group of 6 received escalating doses of BC-819 intravesically during 7 weeks. Patients had low grade superficial bladder cancer, which expressed H19. The effect on a marker tumor was examined 12 weeks after starting treatment. The escalating doses were 2, 4, 6, 12 and 20 mg plasmid per intravesical treatment. Responders continued to receive BC-819 once monthly every month for 1 year. RESULTS: No dose limiting toxicity was observed. The most frequent adverse events were mild to moderate bladder discomfort, dysuria, micturition urgency, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, hypertension and asthenia. Intravesical administration of BC-819 resulted in complete ablation of the marker tumor without any new tumors in 4 of the 18 patients for a 22% overall complete response rate. Eight of the 18 patients (44%) had complete marker tumor ablation or a 50% reduction of the marker lesion. Nine patients received monthly maintenance, of whom 4 and 1 were disease-free at 35 and 49 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intravesical BC-819 causes tumor ablation following intravesical administration at doses that were well tolerated. It is worthy of continued clinical investigation.

[The role of nonoperative management of penetrating renal trauma].

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating renal trauma has been treated traditionally by renal exploration. In view of the successful outcome of nonoperative treatment of major blunt renal trauma, there has been a gradual shift in the approach to penetrating renal injuries, in selected cases. This study reviews the local experience with the conservative approach to penetrating renal injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The researchers retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with penetrating renal injuries during a period of 10 years at two medical centers (Meir in Kfar Saba and Hillel Yaffe in Hadera). The data included mechanisms of injury, grading of the injury, homodynamic stability presence of hematuria, associated injuries, management conservative versus operative, complications and outcome. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 18 patients, with mean age of 22.5 years (15-40 years). The mechanisms of injury were stab wounds (10 patients) and gunshot injuries (8 patients). Nine patients (50%) required surgical intervention for associated injuries. Nonoperative treatment of the urological injury was selected in 10 patients (55.5%), 4 of them required surgery for associated abdominal injuries but did not undergo renal or retroperitoneal exploration, 8 patients (44.5%), were managed primarily by renal exploration. Grade I-II renal injuries were treated conservatively while all grade V injuries were explored. Of grade III injuries, 3 were treated conservatively and renal exploration was performed in 2. Half of grade IV injuries (4 patients) were treated conservatively. Follow-up of conservatively treated patients, demonstrated a viable kidney in all cases. Nephrectomy was performed in 3/8 patients who were treated primarily by renal exploration. These patients had grade IV or V injuries. Renorrhaphy was performed in the remaining 5 patients of whom one required delayed nephrectomy. Overall, the injured renal unit was lost in half of the operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study presents a successful conservative approach to penetrating renal injuries in 10 out of 18 cases. All renal units in the nonoperated patients were preserved in comparison to only half in the surgically treated patients. Hence, nonoperative treatment is a reasonable option for the majority of minor penetrating renal injuries as well as in many selected high-grade injuries. This approach provides maximal preservation of the injured kidney with manageable complications.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IN A SMALL SAMPLE OF EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED PRONGHORN (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA).

There is limited information on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in North American wildlife and none concerning pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ). In an experimental study of 13 pronghorn and six steers ( Bos taurus ), we compared the susceptibility of pronghorn to FMD virus (FMDV) strain O, with that of cattle ( Bos taurus ). We also determined the potential for intra- and interspecies transmission of FMDV strain O in pronghorn and cattle, assessed the application of conventional laboratory tests in their suitability to detect FMDV infection in pronghorn, and evaluated the potential role of pronghorn as efficient long-term carriers of FMDV. After acclimation to containment at Plum Island Animal Disease Center, two pronghorn and one steer were each infected by intraepithelial tongue inoculation with 10,000 bovine tongue infective doses of FMDV, strain O1 Manisa. Inoculated animals were housed with contact animals. When contact-exposed animals developed fever they were placed in rooms with previously unexposed animals. All inoculated and exposed cattle and pronghorn developed clinical disease typical of FMD. Pronghorn developed severe foot lesions and mild to moderate oral lesions, primarily on the tongue. Duration of clinical signs in both species was 2-3 wk with foot abnormalities evident to the end of the study (51 d postexposure). Other lesions included pancreatitis, myositis of the tongue, and secondary lesions including pleuritis, pneumonia, decubital ulcers, and tenosynovitis. Virus transmission occurred between pronghorn, from cattle to pronghorn, and from pronghorn to cattle. Conventional laboratory tests detected virus and antibodies against nonstructural and structural FMDV proteins in pronghorn and cattle. Virus was present in some animals for 1 wk but was not detectable by virus isolation or PCR at 3 wk postinfection or afterward.