Results from a large-scale epidemiologic look-back investigation of improperly reprocessed endoscopy equipment.

Objective: To determine whether improper high-level disinfection practices during endoscopy procedures resulted in bloodborne viral infection transmission.

Design:  Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:  Four Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs).

A serologic survey for avian polyomavirus and Pacheco's disease virus in Australian cockatoos.

Sera collected from wild and captive Australian cockatoos and other psittacine species (n = 411) were tested for antibodies to avian polyomavirus (APV) and Pacheco's disease virus (PDV). Of 144 wild sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) sampled at three regions in New South Wales (NSW) 96 (64.4%) birds had positive (>/= 1:32) neutralizing antibody titres to avian polyomavirus (range 1:32-1:2048).

Methods of detection of Chlamydia psittaci in domesticated and wild birds.

Objective: To study the occurrence of Chlamydia psittaci in domesticated and wild birds and compare the sensitivity of molecular detection with cell culture isolation.

Design: Study of cell culture isolation and PCR detection of C psittaci in avian samples.

Procedure: Samples were obtained from 485 birds.

Screening for alcohol problems in the military: recommended tests.

This article suggests two new techniques for identifying alcohol problems in a military setting. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is a well validated self-report procedure and requires approximately 2 minutes for administration. Measurement of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin provides a useful biochemical index of recent heavy alcohol consumption.

The haemagglutination spectrum of psittacine beak and feather disease virus.

A simple method for concentrating psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV) from crude feather suspensions is described. The addition of 10% polyethylene glycol (MW 6000 to 9000) to feather suspensions facilitated the precipitation and pelleting of PBFDV by low speed centrifugation. Pellets were resuspended in one-twentieth of the original volume with caesium chloride (CsCl) buffer and subjected to isopycnic ultracentrifugation.

The experimental production of big liver and spleen disease in broiler breeder hens.

Big liver and spleen disease (BLS) was reproduced experimentally by intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) administration of BLS inocula to susceptible broiler breeder hens 34 to 36 weeks of age. Serological and pathological signs of BLS similar to those seen in the natural disease occurred in inoculated and in-contact birds. Splenomegaly was the earliest and often the only necropsy finding, with hepatomegaly and kidney enlargement occurring in some birds later in the course of the disease.

Epidemiological and clinical investigations into big liver and spleen disease of broiler breeder hens.

The epidemiological and clinical features of big liver and spleen disease (BLS) in flocks on two broiler breeder farms were investigated by serology and gross pathology. The most common necropsy findings on farm 1 were splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, with kidney enlargement in some birds. In one flock (farm 1), a decline in egg production began at 40 weeks of age and lasted for 9 weeks.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin as a measure of immoderate drinking: remaining issues.

A growing body of investigations demonstrate that elevated levels of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) effectively distinguishes alcoholics recently consuming large amounts of alcohol from light social drinkers or teetotalers. Nevertheless, important questions still remain concerning the value of CDT as a more generalized marker of alcohol consumption. Most important, the nature of the drinking pattern, including quantity and frequency, necessary to raise levels of CDT significantly remains unclear.

Vaccination and challenge studies with psittacine beak and feather disease virus.

Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV) was administered to adult galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus) by mouth or by intramuscular injection. Concentration of PBFDV antibodies in serum and excretion of PBFDV were monitored by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and haemagglutination (HA) respectively. After oral administration, 17 of 18 galahs remained clinically normal and a small rise in antibody titre was detected in 3 of 18 birds.

CAGE as a predictor of hazardous alcohol consumption in U.S. Army personnel.

Sensitivities, specificities, and odds ratios for hazardous drinking for various cut scores on the CAGE are computed for a large sample active duty Army personnel. Contrasts on these properties are made between the standard CAGE and a "modified CAGE" consisting of standard CAGE items and two other items dealing with problematic drinking. The role of demographic variables--gender, ethnicity, marital status, rank category, and age in mediating relationships of both versions of the screening test to hazardous drinking--is also explored.

Seroprevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease in wild psittacine birds in New South Wales.

A haemagglutination inhibition assay was used to detect antibody to psittacine beak and feather disease virus in sera from wild sulphur crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus), short-billed corellas (Cacatua sanguinea), eastern long-billed corellas (Cacatua tenuirostris) and other psittacine birds in New South Wales. The seroprevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease ranged from 41% to 94% in different flocks, indicating infection with the virus is widespread in wild populations.

Laboratory diagnosis of psittacine beak and feather disease by haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition.

Simple and sensitive haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition assays were developed for psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) virus and serum antibody, respectively. The assays were used in the examination of samples from 73 birds clinically affected with PBFD. High antigen titres (log2 9 to log2 12) were detected in feathers, faeces and cloacal contents of PBFD-affected birds.

Principles and practice of detoxification.

Detoxification is the medical care that safely carries the patient through withdrawal. It is normally not an end point but is a step toward rehabilitation. Protocols should be tailored to meet the needs of individual patients.

Disorders of the avian integument.

The avian integument consists of highly specialized structures that show extreme variations between species. Feathers are the most obvious part of the integument, and their color and beauty forms an important basis for the attraction of birds to humans. Any disorder in the feathers can be distressing for a client and frustrating for the avian practitioner.

Newcastle disease.

Since 1926, there have been three epizootics of ND. The latter two have been directly linked with psittacine species and Racing Pigeons. The modern poultry industry is extremely vulnerable to the effects of NDV, once it gains entry to any facet of the industry.

The resistance of meat chickens vaccinated by aerosol with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus vaccine in the field to challenge with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus.

Meat chickens housed on a commercial broiler farm in Australia were vaccinated once at 10 to 11 days-of-age by aerosol with live V4 Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. Groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated birds were flown to Malaysia, where they were challenged with a virulent strain of NDV. Survival rates in vaccinated chickens challenged 7, 14, 21 or 31 d after vaccination were 0.

Natural infection of broiler breeder chickens with endemic apathogenic Newcastle disease virus and their subsequent response to vaccination with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus vaccine.

Flocks of broiler breeder chickens housed on a commercial farm were monitored from 13 w of age for natural infection with endemic lentogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Seroconversion was first detected at 17 w. By 24 w, all 8 flocks had achieved peak log2 mean haemagglutination inhibiting antibody titres of up to 4.

The serological responses of chickens to mass vaccination with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus vaccine in the field and in the laboratory. 2. Layer pullets.

Layer chickens on a commercial started pullet farm were vaccinated once at 31 to 52 days of age by drinking water or aerosol with live V4 Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. Flockmates which had been rehoused in laboratory isolation pens shortly beforehand were similarly vaccinated. Samples of birds were bled at intervals and the serums tested for haemagglutination inhibiting antibody to NDV.

The serological responses of chickens to mass vaccination with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus vaccine in the field and in the laboratory. 1. Meat chickens.

Meat chickens on commercial broiler farms were vaccinated once at 1 to 15 days of age with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine administered by drinking water, aerosol or coarse spray. Hatchmates were housed and similarly vaccinated in laboratory isolation pens. Samples of birds were bled at weekly to fortnightly intervals and the serums tested for haemagglutination inhibiting antibody to NDV.

Alcoholism treatment: a ten-year follow-up study.

Two hundred male and female patients, selected at random from all patients admitted to an inpatient alcoholism treatment facility in 1973-1974, were surveyed 10 years following treatment. Response rate was 80%, and a validity check was done. Of the 158 unstable responses, 61% reported complete or stable remission of their alcoholism for at least 3 years prior to the survey and 84% reported stable psychosocial status.