Identification of Aedes aegypti and its respective life stages by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

An Aedes aegypti-specific, fluorogenic probe hydrolysis (Taq-Man), polymerase chain reaction assay was developed for real-time screening using a field-deployable thermocycler. Laboratory-based testing of A. aegypti, A.

Rapid identification of dengue virus by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using field-deployable instrumentation.

Dengue virus universal and dengue serotype 1 to 4, fluorogenic probe hydrolysis (TaqMan), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays were developed for screening and serotype identification of infected mosquito vectors and human sera using a field-deployable, fluorometric thermocycler. Dengue universal and dengue 1 to 4 serotype assay in vitro sensitivity and specificity results were 100% concordant when tested with total nucleic acid extracts of multiple strains of dengue serotype 1 to 4, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, and St. Louis encephalitis viruses.

Trends in positive drug tests, United States Air Force, fiscal years 1997-1999.

We investigated the relationship between various demographic factors and the risk of testing positive for marijuana or cocaine use in the U.S. Air Force in fiscal years 1997 through 1999.

Identification of Francisella tularensis using real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction.

A Francisella tularensis-specific, TaqMan probe-based, real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay required approximately 60 minutes and consistently achieved a sensitivity of < or = 10 fg of F. tularensis genomic DNA (five genome equivalents). Specificity testing against a genomic DNA cross-reaction panel comprised of 22 bacterial organisms representing closely related species, diverse genera, and human genomic DNA resulted in no false positives of significance.

A real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction assay for the identification of Yersinia pestis using a field-deployable thermocycler.

Real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction is a microbial identification method that can provide rapid and accurate results using a field-deployable thermocycler, the RAPID ("ruggedized" advanced pathogen identification device). A Yersinia pestis-specific TaqMan assay required approximately 75 minutes and achieved a sensitivity of 100 fg of Y. pestis genomic DNA (20 genome equivalents).

Light, carbon dioxide, and octenol-baited mosquito trap and host-seeking activity evaluations for mosquitoes in a malarious area of the Republic of Korea.

Two field trials for commercially available and experimental mosquito traps variously baited with light, carbon dioxide, octenol, or combinations of these were evaluated in a malarious area at Paekyeon-Ri near Tongil-Chon (village) and Camp Greaves, Paju County, Kyonggi Province, Republic of Korea. The host-seeking activity for common mosquito species was determined using hourly aspirator collections from a human- and propane lantern-baited Shannon trap. The total number of mosquitoes and number of each species captured during the test were compared using 8 x 8 and 5 x 5 Latin square designs based on trap location.

Achieving health, safety, and performance improvements through enhanced cost visibility and workplace partnerships.

Reduction in the environment, safety, and occupational health (ESOH) component of operational costs requires not only a better understanding of ESOH costs and requirements, but also the formation of effective partnerships between ESOH professionals, financial analysts, and shop workers to identify viable improvements to current practices. This article presents two case studies of efforts to enhance productivity and ESOH in corrosion control facilities at Randolph Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, and Robins AFB, Ga. At each site, activity-based cost models were created to increase the visibility of ESOH-related costs and target improvement opportunities.

Communicating risk in diverse communities.

Environmental risk communication involves the use of many tools and techniques to form and deliver effective messages. These messages need to inform affected communities about the potential risks and health effects resulting from exposures to environmental contaminants. More importantly, the messages need to reflect the needs, concerns, sensitivities, and knowledge base of the affected community.

Late season commercial mosquito trap and host seeking activity evaluation against mosquitoes in a malarious area of the Republic of Korea.

Field trials evaluating selected commercially available mosquito traps variously baited with light, carbon dioxide, and/or octenol were conducted from 18-27 September 2000 in a malarious area near Paekyeon-ri (Tongil-Chon) and Camp Greaves in Paju County, Kyonggi Province, Republic of Korea. The host-seeking activity for common mosquito species, including the primary vector of Japanese encephalitis, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, was determined using hourly aspirator collections from a human and propane lantern-baited Shannon trap during hours when temperatures exceeded 15 degrees C. The total number of mosquitoes and number of each species captured during the test was compared using a block design.

Sensitive and specific method for rapid identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae using real-time fluorescence PCR.

Molecular surveillance of pathogens has shown the need for rapid and dependable methods for the identification of organisms of clinical and epidemiological importance. As the leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae was used as a model organism to develop and refine a real-time fluorescence PCR assay and enhanced DNA purification method. Seventy clinical isolates of S.

Exposures to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate during polyurethane spray painting in the U.S. Air Force.

1,6-Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) exposures were measured during polyurethane enamel spray painting at four Air Force bases. Breathing zone samples were collected for HDI monomer and polyisocyanates (oligomers) using three sampling methods: NIOSH Method 5521, the Iso-Chek sampler, and the total aerosol mass method (TAMM). Exposures to HDI monomer are low when compared to current occupational exposure limits; the highest 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) exposure found was 3.

The Department of Defense laboratory-based global influenza surveillance system.

Military global influenza surveillance began in 1976 as an Air Force program. In 1997, the Department of Defense (DoD) Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System expanded the program to include all services. Also included were local residents in areas where DoD overseas research activities operated.

Planning for the future: the Department of Defense Laboratory Joint Working Group and Global Laboratory Information Transfer.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Laboratory Joint Working Group plans unified laboratory strategy under the auspices of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Board of Governors. One goal of the Laboratory Joint Working Group is to advocate clinical integration through automation of data transfer between medical treatment facilities using the DoD standard platform, Composite Health Care System (CHCS). A working group project team is implementing global laboratory information transfer, which enables CHCS-to-CHCS communication throughout the DoD.

Exposures to jet fuel and benzene during aircraft fuel tank repair in the U.S. Air Force.

Jet fuel and benzene vapor exposures were measured during aircraft fuel tank entry and repair at twelve U.S. Air Force bases.