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