Detection assays for HIV proteins.

This updated unit describes four assays for detection of HIV proteins including: (1) a quantitative ELISA, (2) a quantitative immunoblotting assay, (3) a qualitative immunofluorescence assay, and (4) a functional assay to measure virus-associated reverse transcriptase activity as an indicator of viral production.

Epidemiology of scorpion envenomations in Texas.

About 90 scorpion species occur in the US, and scorpion stings accounted for over 15,600 calls to poison centers in the US in 2002. However, epidemiologic information on scorpion envenomations in the US, and Texas in particular, is limited. This study investigated the relationship between epidemiological factors and the scorpion stings reported to the Texas poison centers.

Exposures and treatments among women of childbearing age and pregnant women reported to Texas poison centers.

Both exposures reported to poison centers and the treatments used involved potential teratogens. This investigation describes the patterns of exposures and treatments among women of childbearing age and pregnant women reported to Texas poison centers during 2000-2002. Of 476,365 total reported human exposures, 65,074 (13.

Epidemiology of lindane exposures for pediculosis reported to Poison Centers in Texas, 1998-2002.

Background: Lindane (gamma-benzene hexachloride), commonly used as a treatment for pediculosis, has been associated with adverse reactions and has recently undergone increased regulation.

Objective: We sought to describe the patterns of a large number of lindane exposures reported to poison centers in Texas during 1998-2002.

Methods: Data on all lindane exposures for pediculosis reported to the Texas Poison Center Network were analyzed.

Patterns of animal poisonings reported to the Texas Poison Center Network: 1998-2002.

A portion of calls handled by poison centers involve poisonings of animals; however, information on such calls is limited. This study used data from poison centers in Texas collected during 1998-2002 to document the epidemiology of animal poisoning calls. There were a total of 24,467 animal poisoning calls, representing 2.

The epidemiology of pepper spray exposures reported in Texas in 1998-2002.

Pepper spray is used as an incapacitant agent. Although now available for general use in the US, the health consequences of pepper spray exposures are poorly understood. This study used data from human exposure calls to poison centers in Texas to investigate the epidemiology of pepper spray exposures.

Black widow spider and brown recluse spider bites in Texas from 1998 through 2002.

Black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders are of medical importance to humans in the US. However, these spiders differ in their habits, habitat, and the clinical effects and treatment of their bite. This study used data from human exposure calls to poison centers in Texas to compare the epidemioloy of bites from these 2 spiders.

Calls about anthrax to the Texas Poison Center Network in relation to the anthrax bioterrorism attack in 2001.

Between October 4, 2001 and November 20, 2001, 22 cases of anthrax were identified in a bioterrorism attack on the US. This study examined the patterns of anthrax calls before and after the bioterrorist attack based on calls received by poison centers in Texas, a state that reported no anthrax cases as a result of the attack. During 1998-2002, 553 calls about anthrax were received.

Prenatal HIV testing in private OB-Gyn practices in Texas.

This study evaluates the prenatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing behaviors of private obstetrics and gynecology practitioners in Texas. A statewide telephone survey of 614 providers of prenatal care determined the level of HIV testing, how testing is offered, and patient acceptance of the test. Ninety-nine percent of the practices offered HIV testing to all their pregnant patients, and 96% of the practices included HIV testing in the routine panel of tests for pregnant patients.