Feline host range of canine parvovirus: recent emergence of new antigenic types in cats. (33/1030)

Since the emergence of Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) in the late 1970s, CPV-2 has evolved consecutively new antigenic types, CPV-2a and 2b. Although CPV-2 did not have a feline host range, CPV-2a and 2b appear to have gained the ability to replicate in cats. Recent investigations demonstrate the prevalence of CPV-2a and 2b infection in a wide range of cat populations. We illustrate the pathogenic potential of CPV in cats and assess the risk caused by CPV variants.  (+info)

Baylisascaris procyonis: an emerging helminthic zoonosis. (34/1030)

Baylisascaris procyonis, a roundworm infection of raccoons, is emerging as an important helminthic zoonosis, principally affecting young children. Raccoons have increasingly become peridomestic animals living in close proximity to human residences. When B. procyonis eggs are ingested by a host other than a raccoon, migration of larvae through tissue, termed larval migrans, ensues. This larval infection can invade the brain and eye, causing severe disease and death. The prevalence of B. procyonis infection in raccoons is often high, and infected animals can shed enormous numbers of eggs in their feces. These eggs can survive in the environment for extended periods of time, and the infectious dose of B. procyonis is relatively low. Therefore, the risk for human exposure and infection may be greater than is currently recognized.  (+info)

Emergence of a novel penicillin-nonsusceptible, invasive serotype 35B clone of Streptococcus pneumoniae within the United States. (35/1030)

Monitoring antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains not covered by the 7-valent conjugate vaccine is an important priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Active Bacterial Core Surveillance identified 68 invasive penicillin-nonsusceptible serotype 35B (PN35B) isolates recovered from 1995 to 2001 from patients residing in the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas. Nonsusceptible isolates accounted for 69% of all serotype 35B isolates recovered during this time. Twelve (18%) of the 68 PN35B isolates recovered since 1995 were obtained from pediatric patients. These 68 isolates exhibited penicillin MICs of 0.25-2 microg/mL and reduced susceptibility to cefotaxime. Representative PN35B isolates exhibited a common chromosomal macrorestriction profile and identical penicillin-binding-protein gene restriction profiles characteristic of penicillin-resistant strains, and they shared a unique 7-locus sequence type that included 3 new alleles. The mosaic pbp2b and divergent ddl sequences were suggestive of interspecies recombination at the ddl-pbp2b chromosomal region.  (+info)

Emergence of Usutu virus, an African mosquito-borne flavivirus of the Japanese encephalitis virus group, central Europe. (36/1030)

During late summer 2001 in Austria, a series of deaths in several species of birds occurred, similar to the beginning of the West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic in the United States. We necropsied the dead birds and examined them by various methods; pathologic and immunohistologic investigations suggested a WNV infection. Subsequently, the virus was isolated, identified, partially sequenced, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The isolates exhibited 97% identity to Usutu virus (USUV), a mosquito-borne Flavivirus of the Japanese encephalitis virus group; USUV has never previously been observed outside Africa nor associated with fatal disease in animals or humans. If established in central Europe, this virus may have considerable effects on avian populations; whether USUV has the potential to cause severe human disease is unknown.  (+info)

West Nile virus outbreak in horses, southern France, 2000: results of a serosurvey. (37/1030)

During late summer and autumn 2000, a West Nile fever outbreak in southern France resulted in 76 equine clinical cases; 21 horses died. We report the results of a large serosurvey of all equines within a 10-km radius of laboratory-confirmed cases. Blood samples were obtained from 5,107 equines, distributed in groups of 1 to 91 animals. West Nile virus immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies were found in 8.5% of animals (n=432). Forty-two percent of the IgG-positive animals were also IgM positive. Horses living in small groups were more affected than those in large groups. The results suggest that West Nile virus is not endemic in the affected area, the Camargue; rather, sporadic outbreaks are separated by long silent periods.  (+info)

Seroepidemiology of human enterovirus 71, Singapore. (38/1030)

Human enterovirus 71 has caused outbreaks in many parts of the world, especially Southeast Asia, with some fatal cases. The epidemiology of this viral infection is not well understood. We conducted a serologic survey in Singapore children, and the results indicate that infection occurs largely in preschool settings.  (+info)

Thermo-tolerant Campylobacter fetus bacteraemia identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing: an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients. (39/1030)

Eight Campylobacter isolates that were able to grow at 25 degrees C and 42 degrees C and had the same biochemical profile were isolated from the blood of eight immunocompromised patients. Conventional biochemical tests were unable to determine whether they were isolates of thermo-tolerant C. fetus, H2S-negative C hyointestinalis, or a new Campylobacter species. Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA genes showed that all eight isolates had the same nucleotide sequence and this was identical to that of C. fetus (GenBank accession no. AF219233). All eight patients had underlying disease and two died despite antibiotic treatment. Because of the ability of C fetus to grow over a wide range of temperatures and a higher incidence of bacteraemia by this organism than C. jejuni in the past 5 years in Hong Kong, thermo-tolerant C fetus may be an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients in the years to come.  (+info)

Beliefs and attitudes toward Buruli ulcer in Ghana. (40/1030)

Buruli ulcer is a devastating emerging disease in tropical countries. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained by interviewing patients with this disease and control subjects in Ghana. Common perceived causes were witchcraft and curses. Other reported causes were personal hygiene, environment, and close contact with a patient with this disease. Financial difficulties, fear of the mutilating aspects of treatment, and social stigma were the main reasons found for delay in obtaining treatment. Patients are reluctant to seek treatment outside their own community. Patients often expected medical treatment instead of surgery, and underestimated the duration of hospital admission. The stigma of the disease is huge, and is strongly associated with the mysterious nature of the condition, the lack of knowledge about its mode of transmission, and the lack of proper treatment. Stigma scores were higher in unaffected respondents and in a less endemic location. Education on the disease, usually propagated for early case detection, might be useful in reducing stigma.  (+info)