Hepatic abscess complicating ulceroglandular tularemia.

In a patient with the clinical features of classic ulceroglandular tularemia a solitary hepatic abscess was found during an ultrasound examination. Hepatic tularemia has rarely been reported since the advent of specific therapy, which prevents the disease from reaching the disseminated state. This case, however, shows that the liver can be involved early in the course of tularemia. Increased serum levels of hepatic enzymes may be the only sign of such a complication.     

Epidemiological analysis of tularemia in Japan (yato-byo)

Abstract A total of 1372 cases of tularemia observed in Japan since 1924 were analysed. More than 90% of the cases were reported in the north-eastern part of the main island of Japan. After World War II, more than 40 cases were reported yearly for 20 years. Since 1966, however, there have been less than 10 cases per year. Ninety-three % of the cases were caused by contact with infected wild rabbits. The pattern of monthly distribution showed a peak in December and also a lower peak in May. The number of patients older than 40 years of age and the proportion of cases in females have gradually increased. In the earlier survey periods almost 70% of the cases were engaged in agriculture but at present this rate is less than 50%. The changes in the occurrence of tularemia in Japan is thought to be related to the change of life style caused by the rapid growth of the Japanese economy after World War II.     

Persistence of Francisella tularensis McCoy et Chapin tularemia agent in the organism of highly sensitive rodents after oral infection

In the literature there are no data on the possibility of obtaining in experiment non-fatal tularemia infection (persistence) in rodents highly sensitive to it (Group I) when using highly virulent strains circulating in nature for infection by natural routes. Our detailed experiments on 1483 adult voles Microtus rossiaemeridionalis Ogn. (syn. M. subarvalis Meyer et al.) of laboratory origin using virulent strains of Francisella tularensis holarctica Ols. et Meshch. and natural alimentary infection by feeding on bodies of died animals or forced dosed administration of a mixture of dead and living bacteria to the voles through the oesophagus demonstrated the possibility of the animals to survive tularemia with subsequent long-term chronic carrier state of the infectious agent. They also confirmed the ability of voles to eat readily cadavers of their kin (cannibalism, necrophagia). Experiments with the fully virulent strain 503 and feeding on cadavers were carried out on 439 voles. 203 animals died from acute tularemia, 43 from side effects and 193 survived. Two of the latter (0.5%) exhibited chronic bacterial carrier state, and agglutinins to tularemia microbe (1:320) were found in their blood. From 309 voles subjected to dosed feeding, 153 died from acute tularemia, 27 from side effects and 129 survived. Two of them were bacterial carriers and 6 (1.9%) showed agglutinins (1:160-1:1280). In experiments with strain 165, spontaneously less virulent for guinea pigs, 433 voles were fed on cadavers. 170 of them died from acute tularemia, 53 from side effects, and 210 animals survived. Among the latter, 14 animals (3.2%) were found immune to 100 LD50 of the highly virulent strain 1298. In dosed feeding of 302 voles with the strain 165, 90 animals died from acute tularemia, 59 from side effects, and 153 survived, including 63 animals (20.7%) immune to 100 LD50. The surviving immune voles exhibited seroconversion and long-term persistence of the infectious agent in the internal organs (up to day 257-313--period of observation), accompanied bacteriuria in some cases. Histological examination of the kidney revealed, for the first time, important pathological changes of glomerulonephritis type with elements of pyelonephritis. Protracted stay of the agent in the organism of the vole does not affect its virulence. Persistence of tularemia agent in the organism of voles highly sensitive to tularemia in alimentary administration to them of living and dead bacteria is achieved as a result of anticipatory development of immunological reactions in response to a massive dose of killed antigen, against the background of which the accumulation of simultaneously administered     

Infections with Francisella tularensis biovar palaearctica in hares (Lepus timidus, Lepus europaeus) from Sweden

The occurrence of tularemia was studied in 1,500 hares submitted to the National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden for postmortem examination during 1973 through 1985. A total of 109 tularemia cases was recorded based on the fluorescent antibody (FA) test for Francisella tularensis and on the gross and microscopic pathology. Tularemia was diagnosed only in the varying hare (Lepus timidus) and not in the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The geographical distribution of the 109 cases indicates that tularemia has not spread in Sweden during the last 45 yr, with the exception of an endemic occurrence of the disease on the island of Stora Karls? in the Baltic sea. The disease was most frequent in the autumn and only a few cases were recorded during winter. Cases were not seen in the spring. The annual prevalence varied, with several cases in 1974 and 1981, but there were no cases in 1976 and 1980. The postmortem findings in hares dying of tularemia in the autumn were characterized by focal coagulative necrosis in liver, spleen and bone marrow, with high numbers of bacteria FA-positive for F. tularensis. In hares dying during winter months, the most characteristic findings were hemorrhagic enteritis and typhlitis, although necrotic lesions could occur in liver, spleen and bone marrow. Diseased hares on the island of Stora Karls? were demonstrated to be infected with ticks, while hares on the mainland of Sweden generally were fed upon by mosquitoes. Twenty-six of the 109 hares with tularemia were examined bacteriologically and F. tularensis biovar palaearctica was isolated from eight. The lung extract antibody test for F. tularensis was performed in 18 of the 109 hares. All were negative. In addition to the field study, an experimental study with F. tularensis biovar palaearctica was performed. Four varying hares and three European brown hares were inoculated. None of the hares died from tularemia, and generalized infection was not demonstrated.     

Effectiveness of the tularemia-antibody erythrocyte diagnostic agent for the detection of specific antigen and antibodies to it]

The authors demonstrated the efficacy of utilization of tularemia antibody erythrocytic diagnostic agent. Data are presented indicating a strict specificity and a high sensitivity of this diagnostic agent for detection of the Vi-antigen both in the tularemia microbe cultures and in the suspensions of the organs of rodents which perished of tularemia, irrespective of the state of cadaver. There was revealed relationship between the sensitivity of the diagnostic agent and the virulence of the tularemia microbe cultures. A possibility of using the diagnostic agent in the antigen neutralization test for detection of specific antibodies in the sera of patients, who sustained the disease, and of the vaccinated humans and animals was revealed.     

Analysis of theFusarium toxins Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone in Austrian feeds of the crop years 2002 and 2003

164 feed samples were collected in Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria and Carynthia in the crop years 2002 and 2003 and were analysed by means of the RIDASCREEN^® ELISA-assay for theFusarium toxins Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Zearalenone (ZON). The collected samples consisted of swine feeds, cereals and silages. DON concentrations were found up to the range of mg/kg (ppm), in contrast ZON results remained significantly lower.     

Rise in the epizootic activity of a natural focus of steppe-type tularemia in Stavropol Territory and its epidemic consequences

One of recurrent autumn and winter rises in the epizootic activity of the steppe-type focus of tularemia in the Stavropol Territory is described. During the tularemia epizooty of 1981-1982 the population of common voles (Microtus arvalis) was very numerous, while the population of house mice (Mus musculus) was comparatively scarce. Francisella tularensis strains were isolated from different species of rodents (Microtus arvalis, Mus musculus, Apodemus sylvanicus, Rattus norvegicus, Lepus, etc.), from fleas and ticks, as well as from environmental objects (well-water, hay). 38 cases of the disease among nonvaccinated persons, mainly in rural areas, were registered. Anginous-bubonic tularemia was the dominant form of the disease. A complex of measures aimed at the detection of tularemia and its liquidation among the population was carried out.     

Acicularia? weisswasserensis n. sp. and Terquemella? microsphaera n. sp., two new Dasycladales from the Upper Cretaceous (Late Turonian-Santonian) of the Northern Calcareous Alps (Gosau Group, Austria)

Two new dasycladalean algae are described from the Gosau Group of the Northern Calcareous Alps in Austria. The tiny spicules of Acicularia? weisswasserensis n. sp. were found in foraminiferal wacke- to packstones associated with rudist limestones of the Weisswasser locality (Middle Coniacian), Lower Austria. The small globulous Terquemella? microsphaera n. sp. occurs in marls to marly limestones of the Pletzachalm locality (Upper Turonian), Tyrol, and Russbach locality (Upper Santonian), Lower Austria. The Terquemella-Acicularia group requires taxonomic revision; the two forms described herein, however, are clearly distinct from other species, and belong to the smallest representatives of these genera. In addition, Acicularia? aff. magnapora Kuss and morphologically similar forms interpreted as gametophores of unknown larger dasycladales are described.     

Isolation of pathogens other than Yersinia pestis during plague investigations.

From 1975 to 1978, 37 isolates of Pasteurella multocida, 1 of Salmonella enteriditis, and 5 of Francisella tularensis were recovered from 42 mammalian specimens and 1 flea pool submitted for examination for evidence of infection with Yersinia pestis. Most of the specimens were collected during investigations of either a human plague infection or a reported epizootic among rodent populations. All specimens were of species regularly or occasionally involved in plague or tularemia cycles in nature and most were collected in areas of known plague or tularemia activity.     

Long-term dynamics and prognosis for tularemia and pseudotuberculosis morbidity in the Iaroslavl region

The trends and main factors influencing the fluctuations of the levels of tularemia and pseudotuberculosis morbidity in the Iaroslavl region were revealed by the methods of mathematical statistics (regress analysis, time-series analysis, etc.). Tularemia morbidity was 0.467 +/- 0.216 cases (1950-1997) and pseudotuberculosis morbidity was 0.979 +/- 0.297 cases (1979-1997) per 100,000 of the population. The multiple regression equations permitting the prognostication of tularemia and pseudotuberculosis morbidity in the Iaroslvl region were derived.     

New details on the morphology of fossil onagraceous pollen grains

Fossil onagraceous pollen grains from two Upper Miocene localities in E. Austria were investigated by LM and EM. Exine structure and sculpture as well as viscin threads suggest affinities with the extant genusCircea.     

Usutu virus activity in Austria, 2001-2002

Usutu virus (USUV), a member of the mosquito-borne clade within the Flaviviridae family, was responsible for avian mortality in Austria in 2001. In 2002, the virus continued to kill birds, predominantly blackbirds. High numbers of avian deaths were recorded within the city of Vienna and in surrounding districts of the federal state of Lower Austria, while single die-offs were noticed in the federal states of Styria and Burgenland. A total of 72 birds were submitted for laboratory examination, 30 of which tested positive for USUV by immunohistochemistry and/or polymerase chain reaction. Laboratory-confirmed cases of USUV infection originated from the federal states of Vienna and Lower Austria only. The data show that (i) USUV has managed to overwinter and has been able to establish a transmission cycle in Austria, (ii) the virus seems to have become a resident pathogen of Austria with a tendency to spread to other geographic areas, and (iii) the surveillance of dead blackbirds is a useful sentinel system for monitoring USUV activity.     

Susceptibility of the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) to Francisella tularensis and its effect on the epizootiology of tularemia in an area where both are endemic

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious zoonotic agent causing the disease tularemia. The common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is considered a pest in eastern Europe, and believed to be a source of human tularemia infections. We examined the role of the common hamster in the natural cycle of tularemia using serologic methods on 900 hamsters and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on 100 hamsters in an endemic agricultural area. We collected 374 Ixodes acuminatus ticks from the hamsters and tested them by real-time PCR. All tests were negative. To examine clinical signs, pathology, and histopathology of acute tularemia infection similar to the natural infection, two hamsters were infected with a large dose of a wild strain of F. tularensis ssp. holarctica. After a short period of apathy, the animals died on the eighth and ninth days postinfection. The pathologic, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical examination contributed to the diagnosis of septicemia in both cases. Our results confirmed previous findings that common hamsters are highly sensitive to F. tularensis. We conclude that although septicemic hamsters may pose substantial risk to humans during tularemia outbreaks, hamsters in interepizootic periods do not act as a main reservoir of F. tularensis.     

Survival of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Francisella tularensis</Emphasis> Type A in brackish-water

Martha’s Vineyard (MV), Massachusetts has been the location of two outbreaks of pneumonic tularemia; landscaping activities have been associated with risk, suggesting environmental inhalation exposure. We determined whether salinity or other components of brackish-water present in a location with endemic tularemia may prolong survival of F. tularensis. In addition, we demonstrate for the first time that F. tularensis Type A appears similar to Type B with respect to environmental stability. The results of this study suggest an explanation for why MV is the site of pneumonic tularemia transmission as opposed to sites in the southcentral USA, where tularemia is more commonly reported: Bacteria may be more prone to surviving in salt-influenced soil or moisture in the island setting.     

Aerotitis in Air Travel

In the years 1964-1969, 2,015 cases of aerotitis were reported as an occupational disease in California. Most of the cases were in women flight crew members on commercial airlines (women predominate in such crews). Cases were also reported in passengers. Upper respiratory infection frequently appeared to be a predisposing event.     

Exploration of natural foci of tularemia and plague in Armenia using the serological examination of bird droppings and excrements of predatory mammals]

Forty strains of tularemia and 619 of plague microbes were isolated in 1974 in bacteriological examination of natural plague and tularemia foci from a great number of small mammals and their ectoparasites. At the same time in serological examination (in the antibody neutralization test) of bird pellets, 52 mummified cadavers, and 34 excretion samples of mammalian beasts of prey collected in Armenia (its central and North-Western part) in 1973 the antigen of tularemia microbe was revealed in 73, 8, and 3, and of plagye--in 42, 5, and 1 cases, respectively. In one of the sites examined the number of positive findings failed to exceed 10--17%, this indicating a low intensity of the epizootic in the majority of the places. Judging by the mean titres of the serological test, which varied from 1:12 to 1:1428 in examination for tularemia and from 1:12 to 1428 in examination for plague, it was possible to detect both epizootics coursing during the examination, and those which occurred several monts ago. Tularemia and plague foci were not infrequently present at the same territories, and these diseases could involve the same individual animals of Microtus arvalis (Pall.). The data obtained pointed to the greater effectiveness of examination of bird's pellets and excretions of mammalian beasts of prey for the reconnaisance investigation of the natural foci of plague and tularemia in comparison with the bacteriological methods applied usually.     

Influence of tillage on<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> spp. in Different Crop Rotation Systems

In the present study the influence of different conventional and reduced tillage systems onFusarium spp. and the production of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in winter wheat and maize in different crop rotation systems was investigated. Field trials were conducted in semihumid areas in Lower and Upper Austria and in the pannonian area in Eastern Austria. Generally, extremely dry and hot climatic conditions in all trial years resulted in low infestation levels. As a consequence, no significant effect of tillage system on the infestation withFusarium spp. in winter wheat respectively maize and the contamination with deoxynivalenol was found.     

Results of the study of bird droppings collected in the Lithuanian SSR for the purpose of searching out tularemia epizootics

There are practically no records of cases of tularemia among humans in the Lithuanian SSR. Nevertheless, the mass sero-allergic survey of the population for tularemia, carried out 10-12 years ago, showed that 2.3% of the adult population in the Republic had had contacts with the causative agent of this infection. The work was aimed at the determination of the present activity of the foci of tularemia. During 6 years in 22 rural districts 2582 samples of avian excrements, containing bones and wool of small animals, were collected and studied by means of the antibody neutralization test (ANT). In 132 (5.1 +/- 0.4%) excrement samples collected on the territory of 12 districts Francisella tularensis antigen was detected. The average ANT titer was 45.2, the maximum titer (10 excrement samples) reached 1: 160. The study revealed the existence of the natural foci of tularemia in Lithuania at present, but their activity proved to be low. The most unfavorable situation was found to exist in western districts of the Republic.     

Transcriptional profiling of Francisella tularensis infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a predictive tool for tularemia

In this study, we analyzed temporal gene expression patterns in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with the Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain from 1 to 24 h utilizing a whole human Affymetrix gene chip. We found that a considerable number of induced genes had similar expression patterns and functions as reported previously for gene expression profiling in patients with ulceroglandular tularemia. Among the six uniquely regulated genes reported for tularemia patients as being part of the alarm signal gene cluster, five, namely caspase 1, PSME2, TAP-1, GBP1, and GCH1, were induced in vitro. We also detected four out of the seven potential biomarkers reported in tularemia patients, namely TNFAIP6 at 4 h and STAT1, TNFSF10, and SECTM1 at 16 and 24 h. These observations underscore the value of using microarray expression profiling as an in vitro tool to identify potential biomarkers for human infection and disease. Our results indicate the potential involvement of several host pathways/processes in Francisella infection, notably those involved in calcium, zinc ion binding, PPAR signaling, and lipid metabolism, which further refines the current knowledge of F. tularensis infection and its effects on the human host. Ultimately, this study provides support for utilizing in vitro microarray gene expression profiling in human PBMCs to identify biomarkers of infection and predict in vivo immune responses to infectious agents.     

Anostraca,Notostraca, Laevicaudata and Spinicaudata of Pannonian region and in its Austrian area

The northwestern area of the Pannonian Lowland extends into Austria. The climatic and hydrologic attributes of this biographic region promote the existence of extremely astatic bodies water lacking any fish and hence the occurrence of Anostraca, Notostraca, Laevicaudata and Spinicaudata. Zoogeographical and ecological features as well as the extinction of species due to anthropogenic influence are described.Dedicated to Prof. Dr F. Berger, Lunz, Austria, on the occasion of his 90th birthdayDedicated to Prof. Dr F. Berger, Lunz, Austria, on the occasion of his 90th birthday