An account of the longitudinal mucosal corrugations of the human tracheo-bronchial tree, with observations on those of some animals.
(1/171)
A description is given of the distribution of the longitudinal mucosal corrugations in the human tracheo-bronchial tree. It has been shown that they are made up of elastic tissue in a collagen matrix, and that the elastic fibres continue into the smallest bronchioles beyond where the corrugations are no longer visible. An examination has also been made of the tracheo-bronchial trees of the hen, rat, raccoon, pig, sheep, llama and tiger. Corrugations are present in all these animals, except the hen and the raccoon, and they have been compared and contrasted with the condition in Man. The functional significance of these corrugations remains unknown, but, they could be important in equalizing tension in the tracheo-bronchial tree during inspiration, as well as in providing elastic recoil during expiration. (+info)
Human rabies postexposure prophylaxis during a raccoon rabies epizootic in New York, 1993 and 1994.
(2/171)
We describe the epidemiology of human rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in four upstate New York counties during the 1st and 2nd year of a raccoon rabies epizootic. We obtained data from records of 1,173 persons whose rabies PEP was reported to local health departments in 1993 and 1994. Mean annual PEP incidence rates were highest in rural counties, in summer, and in patients 10 to 14 and 35 to 44 years of age. PEP given after bites was primarily associated with unvaccinated dogs and cats, but most (70%) was not attributable to bites. Although pet vaccination and stray animal control, which target direct exposure, remain the cornerstones of human rabies prevention, the risk for rabies by the nonbite route (e. g., raccoon saliva on pet dogs' and cats' fur) should also be considered. (+info)
Neuronal vacuolation in raccoons from Oregon.
(3/171)
During a 2-year period (1995-1997), vacuoles were detected in neurons of 21/50 (42% prevalence) raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Oregon. Age or sex predisposition was not apparent. Twenty of these raccoons were from within a radius of 40 km of Corvallis in western Oregon. Microscopically, the vacuoles were variable in size, were in the perikarya, and were consistently present in pontine nuclei. Brain tissues were negative for rabies virus antigen by fluorescent antibody test and for the protease-resistant protein prion by immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopic examination of the brain stem of selected animals revealed accumulation of electron-dense material within neuronal perikarya. Light and electron microscopic examination indicated that the accumulated intracellular material had a high lipid content. These lesions suggest a form of neuronal storage condition. Further research is required to identify the composition of the intracellular lipid material, to elucidate the mechanism of neuronal vacuolation in raccoons, and to understand the basis for the apparent geographic restriction of this lesion. (+info)
Using a spatial filter and a geographic information system to improve rabies surveillance data.
(4/171)
The design and coordination of antirabies measures (e.g., oral vaccine and disease awareness campaigns) often depend on surveillance data. In Kentucky, health officials are concerned that the raccoon rabies epizootic that has spread throughout the east coast since the late 1970s could enter the state. The quality of surveillance data from Kentucky's 120 counties, however, may not be consistent. This article presents a geographic model that can be used with a geographic information system (GIS) to assess whether a county has a lower number of animals submitted for rabies testing than surrounding counties. This technique can be used as a first step in identifying areas needing improvement in their surveillance scheme. This model is a variant of a spatial filter that uses points within an area of analysis (usually a circle) to estimate the value of a central point. The spatial filter is an easy-to-use method of identifying point patterns, such as clusters or holes, at various geographic scales (county, intraurban), by using the traditional circle as an area of analysis or a GIS to incorporate a political shape (county boundary). (+info)
Parasitological survey on wild carnivora in north-western Tohoku, Japan.
(5/171)
In the winter of 1997-1998, we collected parasitological data from 60 wild carnivora in the north-western part of Tohoku region, Japan. These included 7 foxes (Vulpes vulpes japonica), 20 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus), 29 martens (Martes melampus melampus), 3 weasels (two Mustela sibirica itatsi and one M. nivalis namiyei), and one Japanese badger (Meles meles anakuma). Roundworms (Toxocara canis in foxes and Toxocara tanuki in raccoon dogs), hookworms (Ancylostoma kusimaense and Arthrostoma miyazakiense) and Molineus sp. in the small intestine were the most prevalent in foxes and raccoon dogs. In martens, Aonchotheca putorii in the stomach, Concinnum ten in the pancreatic duct, Molineus sp. and Euryhelmis costaricensis in the small intestine were the most prevalent. Collected parasites include some new helminth species for this region or Japan; the strobilar stage of Taenia polyacantha from foxes, Pygidliopsis summa from a raccoon dog, Eucoleus aerophilus, A. putorii, and Soholiphyme baturini from martens. (+info)
Cerebral larva migrans in a raccoon (Procyon lotor).
(6/171)
During 1997, gross and histopathologic examinations were performed on an adult female raccoon (Procyon lotor) that was live-trapped in Corvallis, Oregon. Multifocal eosinophilic granulomas indicative of neural and visceral larva migrans were observed. However, within these granulomas, the presence of parasitic larva was seen only in the cerebrum. Morphologic characteristics indicated that the nematode was an ascarid larva. However, it was smaller than the larva of Baylisascaris sp. This appears to be the first documented case of cerebral larva migrans in a raccoon. (+info)
Update: raccoon rabies epizootic--United States and Canada, 1999.
(7/171)
In 1977, an outbreak of raccoon rabies was detected in an area on the West Virginia-Virginia border. Since then, the area affected by this distinct variant of rabies virus associated with raccoons has spread to Ohio in the west and New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine in the north. In addition, the once separate epizootics of rabies among raccoons in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states converged in North Carolina. In July 1999, the raccoon rabies virus variant was reported from Ontario, Canada, on the New York border. This report describes the spread of this epizootic of raccoon rabies through mid-Atlantic and northeastern states and into Canada. (+info)
Radiologic-pathologic findings in raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) encephalitis.
(8/171)
A 13-month-old boy developed eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, retinitis, and a protracted encephalopathy with severe residual deficits. The initial MR examination revealed diffuse periventricular white matter disease, and follow-up images showed atrophy. Brain biopsy, serology, and epidemiologic studies lead to the diagnosis of Baylisascaris procyonis infection, a parasitic disease contracted through exposure to soil contaminated by the eggs of a common raccoon intestinal roundworm. The pathologic, epidemiologic, and imaging features of this disease are herein reviewed. (+info)