Showing papers by "Charles E. Rupprecht published in 1997"

Surveillance and spatiotemporal associations of rabies in rodents and lagomorphs in the united states, 1985–1994

Abstract: Between 1985 and 1994, 368 cases of rabies in rodents (95% of reports) and lagomorphs (5%) were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (USA), from 22 states. This was a 354% increase from the period 1971 to 1984. Most reports were cases of rabies in woodchucks (Marmota monax) (n = 317), primarily from the eastern United States, which has been recently experiencing an epizootic of raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies. Cases of rabies in woodchucks were temporally and spatially associated with reports of raccoon rabies. Antigenic or genetic characterization of variants of rabies viruses from rodents and woodchucks corresponded to the variants associated with the major terrestrial wildlife reservoir within the geographic region of specimen origin. Although rodents and lagomorphs are infrequently infected with rabies and human contact with these animals rarely requires postexposure treatment, appropriate health authorities need to evaluate individual circumstances surrounding potential exposures.

Pathogenesis of experimentally induced rabies in domestic ferrets

Abstract: Objective To determine susceptibility, incubation and morbidity periods, clinical signs, serologic response, and excretion of virus in domestic ferrets inoculated with rabies virus. Animals 55 domestic ferrets. Procedure 5 groups of 10 ferrets were inoculated with rabies virus, IM, at doses of 10(5.5) to 10(1.5) median mouse intracerebral lethal dose. Ferrets were observed and behavior was recorded. Rectal temperature, body weight, and samples from the oral cavity and samples of saliva and blood were obtained. Virus isolation was attempted, using intracranial mouse inoculation and cell culture. Virus neutralizing antibodies were determined by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. Ferrets were euthanatized immediately if clinical signs were severe. Rabies was confirmed by direct immunofluorescent antibody test. Results Mean incubation period was 33 days (range, 16 to 96 days). Clinical signs included ascending paralysis, ataxia, cachexia, bladder atony, fever, hyperactivity, tremors, and paresthesia. Mean morbidity period was 4 to 5 days (range, 2 to 10 days). Virus antigen was detected in brain tissue from all clinically rabid ferrets. Ferrets given the highest viral dose were euthanatized and had VNA; ferrets receiving the next dilution also were euthanatized, but only 4 had seroconverted. Of 17 ferrets that survived, 5 seroconverted. Survivors remained clinically normal except for 1 that recovered with severe paralytic sequelae. Rabies virus was isolated from the salivary gland of 1 ferret that was euthanatized. Conclusions and clinical relevance Rabies should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any ferret that has acute onset of paralysis or behavioral changes and a condition that rapidly deteriorates despite intense medical intervention.

Rabies surveillance in the United States during 1996.

Abstract: In 1996, 49 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico reported 7,124 cases of rabies in non-human animals and 4 cases in human beings to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 92% (6,550 cases) were wild animals, whereas 8% (574 cases) were domestic species. The total number of reported cases decreased 9.6% from that of 1995 (7,881 cases). Although much of the decline was the result of fewer reported cases of rabies in raccoons, fewer cases were also reported among most groups of animals. Numbers of cases associated with separate epizootics of rabies in foxes in west central Texas and in dogs and coyotes in southern Texas attributable to canine variants have declined, with 56.2% fewer rabid foxes (60), 72.7% fewer rabid dogs (15), and 76.3% fewer rabid coyotes (19) during 1996, compared with cases of rabies reported among these same species during 1995. Nationally, the number of reported rabid bats (741) decreased 5.8%, with cases reported by 46 of the 48 contiguous states. Four Eastern Seaboard states, enzootic for the raccoon variant of the rabies virus, reported noteworthy increases in total numbers of reported cases: Maine (29.7%; 101 cases in 1995 to 131 in 1996), Maryland (44.2%; 441 to 636), North Carolina (59.0%; 466 to 741), and Virginia (33.3%; 459 to 612). Increases were also reported by Florida (6.4%; 251 to 267) and Georgia (3.1%; 294 to 303). Cats continued to be the domestic animal most frequently reported rabid, but reported cases of rabies in cats (266), cattle (131), and dogs (111) decreased by 7.6%, 3.7%, and 24.0%, respectively. Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia reported decreases in rabies in animals during 1996, compared with 18 states and Puerto Rico in 1995. Hawaii was the only state that did not report a case of rabies in 1996. Two indigenously acquired cases of rabies reported in human beings were the result of infection with rabies virus variants associated with bats, whereas the remaining 2 human rabies infections were acquired outside the United States, and the variants identified were consistent with those associated with rabid dogs.

Knowledge and attitudes of residents in two areas of Massachusetts about rabies and an oral vaccination program in wildlife.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare public knowledge and attitudes about rabies and an oral rabies vaccination program in raccoons. DESIGN: Random-digit dial telephone survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Residents of 2 areas of Massachusetts. PROCEDURE: Residents of 2 areas of Massachusetts were called to participate in a telephone survey. One area (Cape Ann) included 8 towns, most of which have had rabies in raccoons since 1993. The second area (Cape Cod) included 7 towns, 5 of which have not had rabies in raccoons. Calls were made to 642 persons, and of these, 265 agreed to participate in the survey. Of the nonrespondents who were subsequently contacted again, half agreed to participate. Data were analyzed using a statistical program. Fisher's exact and chi 2 tests were used to determine associations. RESULTS: Residents from the area virtually free of rabies in raccoons were significantly less likely to consider rabies as a potential health threat for children in their household. The perception of rabies as a threat was higher for residents in the endemic area. Residents in both areas considered rabies control to be a high priority and supported use of state funding for an oral vaccination program. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: People recognize dangers associated with rabies and believe that oral vaccination programs will decrease the risk of exposure.

Capillariasis in the Trachea of a Raccoon

Abstract: Cross-sections of nematodes were seen in histologic sections of trachea from a raccoon (Procyon lotor) collected in Virginia (USA); they occupied epithelium and contained unembryonated, bioperculated eggs characteristic of the genus Capillaria (= Eucoleus). A mild inflammatory cell infiltrate in the lamina propria subjacent to the nematode was the only apparent host response. This is the first report of capillariasis in the trachea of raccoons.