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Transmissible Disease (transmissible + disease)
Selected AbstractsReal time PCR detection of Piscirickettsia salmonis from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissuesJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 10 2008S Karatas Abstract Piscirickettsia salmonis is the causative agent of piscirickettsiosis, a transmissible disease of salmonid fish. Diagnosis of piscirickettsiosis has traditionally been based upon identification of typical pathological changes by histological investigation, with confirmation by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. However, implementation of more rapid confirmatory techniques, preferably with higher levels of sensitivity and possibilities for quantification, is desirable. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed for specific detection of P. salmonis and tested on samples extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. Construction of a PCR-target mimic allowed determination of detection limits, linearity of the real-time PCR and quantitative detection of P. salmonis. The present study demonstrates the capability of the described real time PCR assay for detection of P. salmonis from paraffin-embedded material with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Implementation of this assay constitutes an important development for a rapid and secure diagnosis of piscirickettsiosis. [source] A predator,prey model with disease in the prey species onlyMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 8 2007David Greenhalgh Abstract A predator,prey model with transmissible disease in the prey species is proposed and analysed. The essential mathematical features are analysed with the help of equilibrium, local and global stability analyses and bifurcation theory. We find four possible equilibria. One is where the populations are extinct. Another is where the disease and predator populations are extinct and we find conditions for global stability of this. A third is where both types of prey exist but no predators. The fourth has all three types of individuals present and we find conditions for limit cycles to arise by Hopf bifurcation. Experimental data simulation and brief discussion conclude the paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A ratio-dependent eco-epidemiological model of the Salton SeaMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 2 2006Kusumika Kundu Abstract Ratio-dependent models set up a challenging issue for their rich dynamics incomparison to prey-dependent models. Little attention has been paid so far to describe the importance of transmissible disease in ecological situation by considering ratio-dependent models. In this paper, by assuming the predator response function as ratio-dependent, we consider a model of a system of three non-linear differential equations describing the time evolution of susceptible and infected Tilapia fish population and their predator, the Pelican. Existence and stability analysis of different equilibria of the system lead to different realistic thresholds in terms of system parameters. The condition for extinction of the species is also worked out. Our analytical and numerical studies may be helpful to chalk out suitable control strategies for minimizing the extinction of the Pelicans. We also suggest that supply of alternative food source for predator population may be used as a possible solution to save the predator from their extinction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Donor Screening for Human T-cell Lymphotrophic Virus 1/2: Changing Paradigms for Changing Testing CapacityAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2010D. R. Kaul Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) policy currently requires the testing of all potential organ donors for human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV)-1/2. Most Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO) use the Abbott HTLV-I/HTLV-II Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). This assay will no longer be manufactured after December 31, 2009; the only commercially available FDA-licensed assay will be the Abbott PRISM HTLV-I/II assay which poses many challenges to OPO use for organ donor screening. As a result, screening donors for HTLV-1/2 in a timely manner pretransplant after December 31, 2009 will be challenging. The true incidence of HTLV-1 in United States (U.S.) organ donors is not well described but appears to be low (,0.03,0.5%). HTLV-1 is associated with malignancy and neurological disease; HTLV-2 has not been convincingly associated with disease in humans. Donors that are HTLV-1/2 seropositive are infrequently used despite most results being either false positive or resulting from HTLV-2 infection. There is urgent need to encourage the development of assays, instruments and platforms optimized for organ donors that can be used to screen for transmissible disease in donors; these must have appropriate sensitivity and specificity to identify all infections while minimizing organ loss through false positive testing. [source] The role of zoos and aquariums in research into the effects of climate change on animal healthINTERNATIONAL ZOO YEARBOOK, Issue 1 2009A. BARBOSA The role that the zoos and aquariums can play in the study into the effects of global climate change, particularly on animal health, is discussed and examples of how this could be achieved are presented. Animals in zoos and aquariums often live under environmentally controlled conditions and may not be subject to the effects of climate change or exposed to the increased numbers of parasites or pathogens that might conceivably be a product of climate change. However, climate-change effects have been reported in both humans and livestock and so it is likely that some animals in zoos and aquariums will also be affected. In 2004, there was a report of 118 transmissible diseases affecting animals in zoos and aquariums, and 29 (25%) of these can be identified as likely to be affected by climate change. Because it is possible to simulate different environmental conditions in zoos and aquariums, and many such institutions have valuable data on animal health that have been collected historically, they may be particularly appropriate places to carry out climate-change studies. [source] Rational testing for transmissible diseasesISBT SCIENCE SERIES: THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, Issue 1 2007S. Wendel [source] Child health in an urbanizing worldACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 1 2002M Gracey The aim of this study is to document and comment on the effects of urbanization on child health, internationally, using published reports and the author's personal experience. Urbanization is having profound effects on the health and well-being of infants and children in industrialized and developing countries. This will affect generations into the future. The changes are not confined to cities and large towns; they rapidly influence transitional societies in remote and rural areas, because globalization is changing infant feeding practices and children's diets and lifestyles. In developing countries, overcrowding and environmental pollution are massive problems made worse by undernutrition and infections, particularly respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases. In developed societies there are many other problems, e.g. injuries, poisonings, violence, drug abuse, exposure to industrial and atmospheric pollutants, including pesticides, sexually transmissible diseases, and "lifestyle", diseases including obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. There is an urgent need for paediatricians, health planners, policy-makers, governments and the community to understand these issues and work towards minimizing their harmful effects on children. Conclusion: Urbanization has profound effects on child health, globally; these must be recognised so that harmful influences of urbanization can be reduced for the benefit of all children. [source] |