Clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic features of plague in cats: 119 cases (1977-1988).

The clinical, clinicopathologic, and pathologic features of 119 cases of plague in cats from 1977 to 1988 in New Mexico were reviewed. Fifty-three percent were bubonic, 10% were pneumonic, 8% were septicemic, and 29% with neither buboes nor pneumonia were unclassified (but presumed septicemic). Three quarters of the lymphadenopathy was submandibular, and almost half of this was bilateral.

Feline plague in New Mexico: risk factors and transmission to humans.

The epidemiologic features of 60 cases of feline plague from 1977-1985 in New Mexico are reviewed. The most frequent clinical presentation was lethargy, anorexia, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes or abscesses. A history of hunting rodents was reported in 75 per cent of all cases.

Animal bites as an occupational hazard among animal control officers.

One hundred-and-two full-time animal control officers (ACOs) in New Mexico were surveyed to learn about animal bite risks in this little-studied occupational group. The overall bite rate was 2.57 per working-year (175-500 times population-based rate estimates).

Feline plague in New Mexico: report of five cases.

Naturally acquired plague was diagnosed in 5 domestic cats. The cats apparently contracted the disease through contact with sylvatic rodents or their fleas in plague-enzootic areas. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence and isolation of Yersinia pestis on culture of abscess material.

The advent of human diploid cell rabies vaccine: impact on vaccine utilization in New Mexico.

Three months' experience with the newly licensed human diploid cell rabies vaccine in the New Mexico comprehensive consultation-biologics system was reviewed. Comparison with the same period in 1978 and 1979 showed no increase in vaccine utilization despite the advent of this simpler-to-use, safer rabies vaccine. Anti-rabies treatments appear to be minimally influenced by new vaccine technology when a comprehensive consultation system is available to support and guide the private physician.