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Characterization of interferon and retroposon-like repetitive elements in salmonid fish
Hatchery-reared salmonid fish routinely encounter stress due to
handling, barging, tagging, and overcrowding. It has been demonstrated that
there exists a direct correlation between stress and transient immune
suppression which can last for many days in fish. Epizootic viral infections
routinely appear in hatcheries and can have a devastating effect on the fish
population. The major viral pathogens in salmon and trout are the fish
rhabdovirus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), and the fish
birnavirus, infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV). Vaccines for these
viral pathogens are under investigation; however, the fish immune system
becomes virtually nonresponsive during episodes of immune suppression. It
was necessary to develop a nonantibody mediated, nonimmune method for
preventing viral infections.
An interferon-like substance has been described for fish which
possesses antiviral activity against both IHNV and IPNV. Since interferon
administered to cattle has been very effective against vesicular stomatitis
virus, a cattle rhabdovirus, an examination of interferon-like activity in fish was
initiated. We report here the establishment of in vitro interferon assays. In
addition, the salmonid genome contains a multigene family of p-interferon-like
genes, much like those in the bovine, equine and porcine genome. The
rainbow trout interferon-like genes were found to be inducible in a manner
which parallels those seen with bovine and human interferons.
In addition to the multigene interferon-like family, it was found that
rainbow trout also contain a retroposon multigene family. Retroposons are
repetitive elements which appear to have arisen by a reverse transcription
event. Two Ll like repetitive elements have been cloned, one of which
contains a Drosophila retroposon polymerase sequences never before
described for salmonid fish. A number of retroviruses have been described in
fish including the walleye dermal sarcoma virus and the Atlantic salmon
swimbladder sarcoma virus. Interferon shows prophylactic promise both in
vivo and in vitro, against the human retrovirus, HIV. Therefore, research into
fish interferon may be even more important if it demonstrates not only anti-
IHNV and anti-IPNV, but also anti-fish retrovirus properties
Coordinated Response to Reports of Possible Anthrax Contamination, Idaho, 2001
In 2001, the intentional release of anthrax spores in the eastern United States increased concern about exposure to anthrax nationwide, and residents of Idaho sought assistance. Response from state and local agencies was required, increasing the strain on epidemiologists, laboratorians, and communications personnel. In late 2001, Idaho’s public health communications system handled 133 calls about suspicious powders. For each call, a multiagency bridge call was established, and participants (public health officials, epidemiologists, police, Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel, hazardous materials officials, and others) determined which samples would be tested by the state public health laboratory. A triage system for calls helped relieve the burden on public safety and health systems
Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium in Four Animal Facilities
Within each of 4 outbreaks of S. Typhimurium among humans and animals at companion animal care facilities, isolates were identical or nearly identical