Practical significance of rabies antibodies in cats and dogs.

Doubt has sometimes been cast upon the protective effect of rabies antibodies in serum. Animals and humans suffering from fatal rabies often produce high antibody titres, while rabies cases are also observed in vaccinated animals. Cellular immunity is also largely involved in protection. Nevertheless, a large number of laboratory experiments and field observations clearly demonstrate that cats and dogs which develop antibodies after vaccination and before challenge have a very high probability of surviving any challenge, no matter how strong the dose and which virus strain was used. Rabies antibody titration can, therefore, afford a strong additional guarantee to the vaccination certificates accompanying domestic carnivores during transportation between countries. Quarantine rules should also be adapted to the epidemiological features in the exporting country, e.g. statistics of vaccination failure in cats and dogs and host-virus adaptation of the rabies strains circulating in these countries.     

Immunization of dogs and cats with a DNA vaccine against rabies virus

The applicability of DNA immunization technology for vaccine development in companion animals was investigated by immunizing dogs and cats by the intramuscular (i.m.) and intradermal (i.d.) routes with a plasmid DNA vector encoding the rabies virus glycoprotein G. In dogs, administration of 100 microg DNA doses by the i.m. route resulted in stronger and more durable rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers than those obtained by i.d. inoculation. In contrast, i.m. vaccination of cats with a similar dose was less effective in terms of mean titer and seroconversion frequency. However, efficacy was improved by increasing the dosage to 300 microg of DNA per immunization. Interestingly, i.d. inoculation of cats appeared to be a superior route of delivery in this species, resulting in higher seroconversion frequency than i.m. administration. In addition, geometric mean RVNA titers in i.d. inoculated cats increased over four-fold during a seven month period following a second and final immunization. These results demonstrate that non-facilitated, naked DNA vaccines can elicit strong, antigen-specific immune responses in dogs and cats, and DNA immunization may be a useful tool for future development of novel vaccines for these species.     

A model to assess the risk of the introduction into Japan of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent through imported animals, meat and meat-and-bone meal

The authors developed a mathematical model to assess the release risk of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent into a country through the importation of live cattle, bone-in bovine meat and meat-and-bone meal (MBM) from the United Kingdom and other countries with BSE. Monte Carlo simulation was attempted using this model and input variables. The release risk in Japan, expressed as the weight of infected MBM released in Japan between 1993 and 2000, was estimated to be 23.4 kg to 53.8 kg. The simulation also indicated that imported MBM represented the most important risk factor for releasing the BSE agent into Japan. This paper also provides details of the first five cases of BSE detected in Japan between September 2001 and the end of 2002. In addition, the results of the investigation conducted to determine the source of infection and the measures taken by the Government of Japan to prevent the BSE agent from entering the food and feed chains are also outlined.     

The control of rabies in Malaya through compulsory mass vaccination of dogs

A fulminating extension of rabies—which has been enzootic in northern Malaya since 1924—occurred in Kuala Lumpur in April 1952. The outbreak was suppressed by the compulsory mass vaccination of dogs, stringent legislation, and intensive stray-dog destruction. Similar measures are being employed in the current campaign, the aim of which is the complete eradication of the disease.     

Health and environmental risk assessment of organotin pollution in Japan

In the course of developing the Concise International Chemical Assessment Document (CICAD) on triphenyltin compounds for the IPCS, the author assessed health and environmental risks paused by major organotin species, i.e., triphenyltin compounds and tributyltin compounds. Organotin has been used widely as biocide in such applications as antifouling paints of boats and for other purposes, until its use was restricted in 1980's after discovery of severe damages on aquatic ecosystem caused by this agent. Among many other deleterious effects of organotin to aquatic species, imposex is one of the most conspicuous effects which is the development of male reproductive organs by female gastropods at concentrations as low as a few ng/l. Although environmental concentrations of organotin have declined as a result of tight regulations, periodical monitoring in these years shows their levels in the water still range several ng/l in Tokyo bay area which are hazardous to certain aquatic lives. Human intake of organotin in foods has been estimated through market basket surveys in Japan which showed intake of triphenyltin or tributyltin compound in 1997 as 2.29 micrograms/day (as tributyltin chloride) and 2.69 micrograms/day (as triphenyltin chloride), respectively. The intake value for tributyltin chloride corresponds to 5.2% of the provisional acceptable daily intake (ADI) estimated for bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO) in Japan, and 28.0% of the guidance value suggested in the CICAD draft for TBTO, respectively. The intake value for triphenyltin chloride corresponds to 10.8% of the ADI estimated by the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues. Potential critical effects on human health observed in animal tests are the effects on immune systems and reproduction. Based on this investigation, needs for future research on mechanism of toxicity and further control of risks are discussed.     

Assessing biosecurity risk associated with the importation of non-indigenous microalgae

The importation and use of microalgae as live feeds for aquaculture and research poses significant marine biosecurity risks as it represents a poorly or unregulated mechanism for the introduction of non-native species. In many jurisdictions, the importation of a good is controlled by an Import Health Standard (IHS); however within New Zealand, no IHS explicitly exists for microalgae and no import risk assessments have occurred. This represents an unregulated pathway that requires urgent management attention. To address this problem, an 8-step decision-tree (based on non-probabilistic if/then statements) was developed. The decision-tree applies the same set of criteria to all species and strains, ensuring that future importation of microalgae could be assessed in a consistent, robust, transparent, and defensible manner. To assess the validity of the decision-tree, all New Zealand microalgae imports from 1998 to 2005 were assessed using the decision-tree and then compared against a derived risk assessment for the same dataset. Microalgae imports that pose a risk to New Zealand have been imported and released into the environment, indicating that this unregulated pathway needs improved biosecurity management. Both aquaculture and research agencies are responsible for releasing microalgae imports. The decision-tree was a more conservative method than a derived risk assessment process.     

An introduction to benchmarking health assessment and outcomes through applied statistics

Through the application of some basic statistical techniques, HIM professionals can assist in healthcare benchmarking and management at the organizational level. The author offers an example of how one hospital used data analysis to make decisions that promoted better patient care.     

Ecological risk assessment of contaminated soils through direct toxicity assessment

A microcosm (MS-3) with a multispecies soil system is introduced as an experimental tool for direct toxicity assessment of contaminated soils. The capacity of MS-3 to determine soil ecotoxicity potential was evaluated using samples from three sites contaminated with organic and/or inorganic compounds. Soils were toxic to soil-dwelling organisms (earthworm, plants, and microorganisms) and to aquatic organisms (algae and RTG-2 cell fish). As expected, responses varied substantially among different soils and organisms. The application of this evaluation system provided complementary information to the chemical characterization. For soils containing metals the toxic response was lower than predicted from total metal concentrations. For hydrocarbons, the toxicity response agreed with estimated values. The induction of EROD activity suggested the presence of dioxin-like compounds, which had not been addressed in the chemical characterization. The proposed multispecies system affords the measurement of 11 endpoints covering three soil and three aquatic taxonomic groups, reproduces soil conditions and gradients, and appears as an excellent complementary tool to chemical analysis for characterization of contaminated sites.     

Factors influencing the antibody response of dogs vaccinated against rabies

Since 2000, there has been a legal requirement in the UK that dogs and cats should have an effective rabies vaccination with demonstrable sero-conversion if their owners wish to avoid quarantine on re-entry to the UK. In 2002, 10,483 rabies titres were determined on dogs at the VLA. Statistical analyses assessed the efficacy of each vaccine within different dog breeds. Animal size, age, breed, sampling time and vaccine had significant effects on pass rates and median titres. Our data suggests that a general relationship between animal size and level of antibody response exists and smaller sized dogs elicited higher antibody levels than larger breeds of dog. It was not however, only the magnitude of response immediately following vaccination but also the duration of immunity that varied between breeds of dog. Another observation was that young animals, less than 1-year of age, generated a lower antibody response to rabies vaccination than adults. Considerably higher failure rates were also observed for different vaccines tested. Regression analysis revealed that two vaccines performed equally well, and significantly better than the others tested. The variation in antibody response relating to length of interval of sampling following vaccination is not unexpected and presumably relates to the response kinetics for primary vaccination. These data need to be placed in perspective in order to minimise the risk of rabies being re-introduced into a rabies-free country, especially in the consideration of removing the requirement for serological testing for rabies vaccinated dogs that participate in pet travel schemes.     

Quantitative assessment of the risk of lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma among automobile mechanics

BACKGROUND: A quantitative assessment of the risk of lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma among mechanics exposed to dust released from automobile asbestos-containing parts was performed. METHODS: The population of automobile mechanics in France, according to profession and industrial sectors codes, was estimated from the data of the 1999 census. Risks were computed for a total male population of 242,360 automobile mechanics aged 16 to 60 years. Exposure to asbestos among these workers comes from maintenance tasks involving asbestos-containing parts produced before 1997 (date of the asbestos ban in France). Airborne asbestos concentration data available from the literature were highly variable. No data reporting the distribution of time spent for such tasks over a typical week of work were available. Therefore, different weekly exposure profiles were simulated, based on data from the 1994 SUMER survey. Risk models were those used for assessing asbestos health effects by all national and international agencies. Exposure scenarios mixed different levels of exposure, periods of time, proportions of exposed workers and dates of the "natural" disappearance of the automobile fleet built before asbestos was banned in brakes and other parts. The most realistic scenario hypothesizes that all automobile mechanics were exposed to asbestos, that the exposure levels ranged from 0.06 and 0.25 fibers/liter per week for the period before 1997, and between 0.01 and 0.06 fibers/liter per week afterwards until 2010. RESULTS: According to this scenario, the number of lifelong cancer deaths (lung and pleura) induced by asbestos exposure in this population is estimated at 602 "unavoidable" cases, due to exposure experienced before 2003; 43 other cases will occur if asbestos is not removed from existing automobiles.     

Gonadal and sex differentiation abnormalities of dogs and cats

The molecular steps in normal sexual development were largely discovered by studying patients and animal models with disorders of sexual development (DSD). Although several types of DSD have been reported in the cat and dog, which are often strikingly similar to human DSD, these have been infrequently utilized to contribute to our knowledge of mammalian sexual development. Canine and feline cases of DSD with sufficient evidence to be considered as potential models are summarized in this report. The consensus DSD terminology, and reference to previous terminology, is used to foster adoption of a common nomenclature that will facilitate communication and collaboration between veterinarians, physicians, and researchers. To efficiently utilize these unique resources as molecular tools continue to improve, it will be helpful to deposit samples from valuable cases into repositories where they are available to contribute to our understanding of sexual development, and thus improve human and animal health.     

Formation and risk assessment of trihalomethanes through different tea brewing habits

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are suspected carcinogens and reproductive toxicants commonly found in chlorinated drinking water. This study investigates the formation of THMs and their associated risks during different tea brewing habits. Three main categories of tea (black, oolong, and green) under various brewing conditions and drinking water sources were tested. Tea samples prepared in ordinary thermos flask formed significant levels of total THM (TTHM). The highest TTHM formation came from black tea made with tap water, plausibly due to higher concentrations of reactive THM precursors. Compared with tap water, when the background solution is bottled water or distilled water, less TTHM was observed in prepared tea infusions. The results also revealed that unlike the traditional teapot-based tea serving habit, the removal of THMs is significantly reduced when tea infusion is stored in enclosed containers. Risk assessment analysis based on the survey among tea shop costumers also revealed that cancer risks induced by ingestion of THMs through drinking tea infusions prepared in thermos flask exceeded the tolerable level. Data obtained in this research demonstrated that drinking tea infusions directly from enclosed containers can be a significant source of exposure to THMs.     

散装熟肉制品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌的定量风险评估

Objective To conduct a quantitative risk assessment for Listeria monocytogenes in bulk cooked meat products in China.Methods The data on the contamination level of Listeria monocytogenes in cooked meat products was from national foodborne disease surveillance network.involving a total of 841samples.All the samples were detected by a qualitative method and 97 samples among them were detected using a quantitative method.The intake data of cooked meats was from Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002 and population data in the monitoring sites was collected from National Bureau of Statistics in 2008 to estimate the composition of the population of different ages.which would be the base ofassessing the probability of listeriosis in the different subpopulations.Using @ Risk software to estimate the risk of listeriosis caused by consuming deli meats for different subpopulation(0-4 years old,5-64 years old and 65 years and older)by quantitative risk assessments which involved hazard identification,hazard characterization,exposure assessment and risk characterization and conduct sensitivity analysis.Results The contamination level of Listeria monocytogenes in the most of samples(96.08%.808/841)was less than 3 MPN/g(0.5 1g MPN/g),and the average concentration of Listeria monocytogenes was -0.61 1g CFU/g(90%CI:-1.22-0.46 1g CFU/g).Estimated servings of cooked meat consumption for 0-4,5-64 and 65 years and older were 5.52 × 109,8.99×1010.1.01×1010,respectively.Estimated number of cases(median)of listeriosis each year per million people caused by consuming cooked meats in young(0-4 years old),intermediate age(5-64 years old)and elderly(65 years and older)population were 5.53×10-2,1.72×10-4,7.57×10-3,respectively.Results of sensitivity analysis showed that contamination level at retail,serving size of cooked meats,storage time at home,storage temperature and ERG at 5 ℃ were positive factors for the risk of listeriosis(r value was 0.607,0.408,0.339,0.259,0.183 respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion Cooked meat products in bulk is a risk food,which could cause listeriosis.Contamination level of Listeria monocytogenes in cooked meat products in bulk is the top risk factor for the listeriosis.