Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology / Elizabeth Davis / The immune status of an individual host or among a population is affected by important variables including the source and route of potential natural exposure and for vaccination consist of vaccine type, potency, and virus strain; vaccination route and schedule; and individual host factors. Although, perhaps, often overlooked, it is essential to have a basic understanding of the laboratory methods used to measure and assess the host’s immune status. The precision, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of a method must be well defined. Moreover, an “adequate,” acceptable, or diagnostic value for each method must be clearly defined so that a particular test result for a patient can be meaningfully interpreted in relation to the patient’s history and clinical management. The reasons for performing rabies serology can range from diagnosis of infection to investigation of epitope specificity of an anti-rabies virus glycoprotein monoclonal antibody. Characterization of an antibody’s affinity, specificity, quantity, and neutralizing function, and class/subclass are achieved by various methods. Many serological techniques developed over the past five decades differ not only in their ability to detect the function, affinity and specificity of rabies virus antibodies, but also in the ease and practicality with which they are performed. To select an appropriate method and appropriately interpret test results, it is essential to understand the specific strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of available methods. The decision to use a specific assay should start with the purpose of testing and the intended application of results. Other factors to consider are the assay complexity, degree of precision and/or accuracy, specificity and range of detection. Given the importance of RVNA levels in the prevention of human and animal rabies, guidelines for adequate vaccination should be stated in terms that are readily understood by individuals-at-risk and health care providers, both veterinary and medical, who will use the recommendations for clinical management of humans or animals. Across the globe, the standardization of rabies serologic assays has a direct effect on the clinical use of human and animal products, including direct assessment of, and assessment of host responses to, rabies vaccines for the prevention of rabies.

4 pp. / The Informed Arizona Equestrian Horse Health Series was designed to bring up to date information on issues of importance to the horse owners of Arizona and beyond. Rabies has been identified in horses in Arizona (most recently Santa Cruz county in 2016), and is not only fatal for horses, but also can affect the humans handling those horses. It is often overlooked as a possible diagnosis due to the nonspecific early signs of infection. Find out how to protect you and your horses from this devastating disease.

INTRODUCTION: Sight-resight studies are performed to estimate population sizes, in this case dog populations in rabies endemic areas. AIM: This study compares one- and two-day sight-resight methods with two-day as the standard to explore the feasibility and accuracy of the one-day method in different vaccination campaign strategies and dog population characteristics. METHODS: 2015 household survey data and sight-resight data are analyzed to find the percentage of free roaming and confined dogs in the community and use those to adjust the population estimate formulas. 2016 sight-resight data are analyzed as a two-day campaign and as if it had been a one-day campaign. In a sensitivity analysis, confidence intervals are explored in relation to vaccination coverage. RESULTS: Before missed mark and proportion free-roaming corrections, the one-day method results in slightly underestimated population estimates to the two-day method when the vaccination campaign is central point, overestimated when door-to-door, and far underestimated when capture, vaccinate, release. After corrections door-to-door estimates were accurate whereas central point and capture, vaccinate, release estimates substantially underestimated population sizes. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that the one-day mark-resight method could be used to conserve resources depending on the vaccination method and estimated coverage.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-04-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:03:34Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 augustofilho_o_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 3263131 bytes, checksum: 3dff38635500878cf1ed7a081766be74 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Bezerros nascidos de vacas revacinadas contra raiva no terço final de gestação foram vacinados aos dois, quatro e seis meses de idade e revacinados 30 dias após. Os títulos de anticorpos (Ac) foram mensurados nas mães e em seus descendentes 48 horas após o parto. Os bezerros foram separados em quatro lotes com dez animais, sendo representados por bezerros não vacinados, vacinados com dois meses, quatro meses e seis meses de idade. O título de Ac antirrábicos nos bezerros dos diferentes grupos foi avaliado mensalmente e 15 dias pós vacinação e revacinação até completarem 12 meses de vida. Todas as vacas apresentaram titulo de anticorpos antirrábicos soroneutralizantes (AcSN) superiores a 0,5UI/mL 48 horas após o parto. Anticorpos transferidos pelo colostro com títulos semelhantes ao materno foram observados em todos os bezerros estudados 48 horas após o nascimento. Títulos de AcSN superiores a 0,5UI/mL se mantiveram até o 5º mês nos bezerros vacinados aos dois meses sendo que nos demais lotes houve queda nos títulos a partir do 3º mês de vida apresentando um período de desproteção decorrente de queda de anticorpos colostrais superior ao grupo vacinado aos dois meses de idade. Nenhum dos grupos de bezerros estudados apresentou resposta sorológica satisfatória a primo vacinação, porém, todos apresentaram resposta adequada após a revacinação. O estudo demonstrou que é recomendável a vacinação antirrábica em bezerros aos dois meses de idade independentemente do estado vacinal materno seguida de revacinação 30 dias após, e ao completarem 12 meses de vida / Calves born from cows revaccinated against rabies in the final third of pregnancy were vaccinated at two, four and six months of age and revaccinated 30 days later. Seraneutralizing antibody titers (AcSN) against rabies were measured in mothers and their calves 48 hours after delivery. The calves were separated into four groups of 10 animals, represented by non-vaccinated and vaccinated calves with two months, four months and six months of age. The AcSN titers was evaluated monthly and 15 days after vaccination and revaccination until 12 months of life in each group. All cows had AcSN greater than 0,5 UI/mL 48 hours after delivery. Antibodies trasnferred by colostrum with similar titers were observed in all calves studied 48 hours after birth. AcSN titers higher than 0,5UI/mL remained to the 5th month in calves vaccinated at two month of age in contrast to the others groups that presented decrease of AcSN begining at 3th month of age until 30 days after first vaccination representing a longer period of lack of protection comparatively to the group vaccinated at two month of age. Absence of satisfatory antibody response was observed in all groups after the first vaccination, however, all calves had an adequate response after revaccination. The study demonstrated that antirabies vaccination can be recommended in calves at two months of age regardless of vaccination status of mothers being mandatory the revaccination 30 days after and at 12 months of life

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-02-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:44:08Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 frias_dfr_dr_jabo.pdf: 1729107 bytes, checksum: 3f0233fa6c43b0d328c863a2e8d85231 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A avaliação dos casos de agressão por animais, sem critérios bem definidos, podem levar à indicação equivocada de tratamento antirrábico humano pós-exposição. O número desses tratamentos, em muitos municípios em todo o Brasil, tem preocupado as autoridades sanitárias. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar os registros e a conduta da profilaxia antirrábica humana no Município de Jaboticabal, no período de 2007 a 2010, e propor uma nova metodologia de ação. Foi elaborada uma nova ficha de atendimento antirrábico humano, a ficha referência de atendimento a agressão animal e a ficha de visita zoossanitária, todas com seus respectivos manuais de instrução para preenchimento. Além disso, realizou-se a capacitação dos responsáveis pela aplicação das mesmas e as visitas zoossanitárias. Foram avaliadas as informações das fichas de atendimento e dos resultados de visitas domiciliares e observação dos animais agressores; os dados foram tabulados em Excel e analisados com softwares EpiInfo e Action. Também calculou-se o custo direto das vacinas antirrábicas humanas aplicadas. Em 1.366 fichas analisadas, computou-se um agravo para cada 212 habitantes; das pessoas agredidas, 74,3% receberam tratamento pós-exposição, num total de 1.251 doses de vacina. A análise detalhada dos dados, aliada ao fato de Jaboticabal ser considerada região controlada para a raiva, permite questionar que 894 pessoas podem ter recebido vacina sem necessidade, totalizando 1.094 doses a um custo aproximado de 20 mil reais. Nas visitas zoossanitárias constatou-se que, dentre os animais agressores, 78,1% eram domiciliados; 84,4% estavam sadios nos dias 0 e 10; 55% dos ataques foram provocados, e 73% das agressões ocorreram nas próprias residências. Assim, maior atenção deve ser dispensada ao atendimento a agravos por... / A poor assessment of cases of animal attacks towards humans may lead to inadequate human rabies prophylaxis. The high number of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatments in many Brazilian cities has become a concern for Public Health authorities. The present study aimed to assess the records and the conduct of human PEP in the municipality of Jaboticabal, within 2007-2010, and to propose a new methodology. Versions for the following forms, together with instructions for filling them out, are proposed: human rabies medical attention form, animal attack notification form and a zoossanitary form. The personnel in charge of the health sector were trained for filling out these forms and conducting visits. It was evaluated the analysis of patient’s records and the results of home visitation and animal observation data. Data was organized in Excel spreadsheet and analyzed by EpiInfo and Action softwares. Direct cost of human vaccination was also calculated. In 1,366 analyzed records, there was one animal attack per 212 inhabitants. Among injured people, 74.3% received PEP, resulting in a total of 1,251 vaccines shots. The fact that Jaboticabal is located in a region that have controlled status for rabies, coupled with data analysis, allowed questioning that 894 persons may have received rabies shots unnecessarily, which resulted in a total of 1,094 shots at a cost of approximately 20 thousand reais. During zoossanitary visits, it was observed that among the aggressors, 78.1% were domiciled animals; 84.4% remained healthy between observation days 0 to 10; 55% of attacks were provoked and 73% of aggressions happened inside the domicile. It can be concluded that greater importance should be given to the attention of animal attacks cases. Adequacy should be made to the patient’s records, animal attack notification... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Adolorata Aparecida Bianco Carvalho / Banca: Angela Cleuza de Fatima Banzatto de Carvalho / Banca: Karina Paes Bürger / Banca: Maria de Lourdes Aguiar Bonadia Reichmann / Banca: Maria Angélica Dias / Resumo: A avaliação dos casos de agressão por animais, sem critérios bem definidos, podem levar à indicação equivocada de tratamento antirrábico humano pós-exposição. O número desses tratamentos, em muitos municípios em todo o Brasil, tem preocupado as autoridades sanitárias. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar os registros e a conduta da profilaxia antirrábica humana no Município de Jaboticabal, no período de 2007 a 2010, e propor uma nova metodologia de ação. Foi elaborada uma nova ficha de atendimento antirrábico humano, a ficha referência de atendimento a agressão animal e a ficha de visita zoossanitária, todas com seus respectivos manuais de instrução para preenchimento. Além disso, realizou-se a capacitação dos responsáveis pela aplicação das mesmas e as visitas zoossanitárias. Foram avaliadas as informações das fichas de atendimento e dos resultados de visitas domiciliares e observação dos animais agressores; os dados foram tabulados em Excel e analisados com softwares EpiInfo e Action. Também calculou-se o custo direto das vacinas antirrábicas humanas aplicadas. Em 1.366 fichas analisadas, computou-se um agravo para cada 212 habitantes; das pessoas agredidas, 74,3% receberam tratamento pós-exposição, num total de 1.251 doses de vacina. A análise detalhada dos dados, aliada ao fato de Jaboticabal ser considerada região controlada para a raiva, permite questionar que 894 pessoas podem ter recebido vacina sem necessidade, totalizando 1.094 doses a um custo aproximado de 20 mil reais. Nas visitas zoossanitárias constatou-se que, dentre os animais agressores, 78,1% eram domiciliados; 84,4% estavam sadios nos dias 0 e 10; 55% dos ataques foram provocados, e 73% das agressões ocorreram nas próprias residências. Assim, maior atenção deve ser dispensada ao atendimento a agravos por... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: A poor assessment of cases of animal attacks towards humans may lead to inadequate human rabies prophylaxis. The high number of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatments in many Brazilian cities has become a concern for Public Health authorities. The present study aimed to assess the records and the conduct of human PEP in the municipality of Jaboticabal, within 2007-2010, and to propose a new methodology. Versions for the following forms, together with instructions for filling them out, are proposed: human rabies medical attention form, animal attack notification form and a zoossanitary form. The personnel in charge of the health sector were trained for filling out these forms and conducting visits. It was evaluated the analysis of patient's records and the results of home visitation and animal observation data. Data was organized in Excel spreadsheet and analyzed by EpiInfo and Action softwares. Direct cost of human vaccination was also calculated. In 1,366 analyzed records, there was one animal attack per 212 inhabitants. Among injured people, 74.3% received PEP, resulting in a total of 1,251 vaccines shots. The fact that Jaboticabal is located in a region that have controlled status for rabies, coupled with data analysis, allowed questioning that 894 persons may have received rabies shots unnecessarily, which resulted in a total of 1,094 shots at a cost of approximately 20 thousand reais. During zoossanitary visits, it was observed that among the aggressors, 78.1% were domiciled animals; 84.4% remained healthy between observation days 0 to 10; 55% of attacks were provoked and 73% of aggressions happened inside the domicile. It can be concluded that greater importance should be given to the attention of animal attacks cases. Adequacy should be made to the patient's records, animal attack notification... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Human rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that affects thousands of people worldwide, especially in the developing countries of Africa and Asia. There are two distinct biotypes of lyssavirus genotype 1 circulating in South Africa: a canine biotype circulating in domestic dogs, bat-eared foxes and black-backed jackals and a mongoose biotype circulating in herpestids. The presence of LBV, MOKV and DUVV has been demonstrated in South African animal species, but apart from two documented cases of Duvenhage infection in humans, no other lyssaviruses other than genotype 1 have been reported to clinically manifest in humans. Since canine rabies is endemic to the KwaZulu Natal province where the majority of human rabies cases occur, dog vaccination campaigns have been implemented to control and prevent rabies in the region. The first outbreak of canine rabies in the province from the 1950s to 1968 was successfully controlled, but after its re-emergence in the 1970s dog vaccination campaigns have been unsuccessful for a variety of reasons, including lack of commitment for implementation of effective control measures and the difficulty of accessing certain areas in the province. In addition to these problems, human rabies emerged in the Limpopo province during 2005/2006. This emergence was potentially due to the introduction of canine rabies from either black-backed jackals or dogs in Zimbabwe, as there was a large increase of canine rabies cases in the province before the human outbreak. Some dog vaccination campaigns and stray dog population control measures were established in the province, but there are still human rabies cases being reported from the region annually. In order to gain a clearer understanding of human rabies in the country, this study was undertaken to elucidate various epidemiological aspects of human rabies in the country, to correlate the existing knowledge of animal rabies cycles to human rabies cycles and also to determine whether or not lyssaviruses other than genotype 1 have been involved in causing human rabies in South Africa. The study confirmed that the domestic dog is the primary vector for human rabies in South Africa, with most cases occurring in the KwaZulu Natal province. Men and young adults under the age of 21 were most affected. Only very small portion of affected people sought and received post-exposure prophylaxis. This was either due to a lack of vaccine and immunoglobulin or a lack of knowledge of the risk of the disease after an animal exposure. The findings from the molecular epidemiology study reinforced the previous findings which correlate most human rabies cases with the coastal KwaZulu Natal canine cluster identified in previous studies. As humans are a dead end host to rabies infection, it was expected that the molecular epidemiology of the human rabies isolates would mimic the molecular epidemiology of the existing animal cycles and this proved to be the case. The human rabies virus isolates all grouped closely to their representative animal cycles, which grouped by respective geographical location. The study also reinforced findings of the establishment of a new Free State canine rabies cycle, originating from the coastal KwaZulu Natal canine rabies cluster. The primary laboratory confirmation test of rabies is the fluorescent antibody test which does not distinguish between genotypes or the two biotypes circulating in South Africa. The study was undertaken, in part, to elucidate the various genotypes and biotypes responsible for human rabies in South Africa, as there is a large diversity of lyssaviruses in South Africa, evidenced by the fact that the first ever reported human rabies case in South Africa was due to a mongoose exposure. Molecular epidemiology is a subfield of epidemiology and thus can be used to reach epidemiological conclusions. No lyssavirus genotypes other than genotype 1 were implicated in the human rabies cases, indicating that the African rabies-related lyssavirus exposures are uncommon and while exposures can happen (as shown in 2006), they are not likely to be of significant public health concern and the focus should be on genotype 1. The findings of the study emphasize the importance of rabies as a zoonotic disease of humans in South Africa, which despite having severe health impact on the local human populations is still greatly underestimated. Moreover, the study summarizes epidemiological data of known human rabies cases for a period of 1983 to 2007 and thereby provides a useful and comprehensive report on the status of the disease in South Africa for last 25 years. The database of human rabies cases established during this study can then assist in the future planning and prioritizing of rabies control and prevention efforts in the country. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

Rabies is a viral disease caused by the rabies lyssavirus (RABV). Despite effective rabies vaccines for humans and animals, this disease continues to pose a major public health challenge, causing an estimated 59 000 human deaths each year, over 99% of which are caused by the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Current methods of dog population management used in rabies control programs are ineffective. Surgical sterilisation does not reach enough of the dog population to curb population densities and contraceptives need to be administered at a specific phase in the oestrous cycle or cause a range of side effects. Immunocontraception in dogs would allow rabies vaccination coverage to be maintained, in turn reducing the burden of rabies on public health. The aim of this study was to develop an immunocontraceptive vaccine for dogs capable of eliciting a stronger immune response than that of previously constructed vaccines allowing for effective dog population management and allowing rabies vaccination coverage to be maintain, in turn reducing the burden of rabies on public health. By stabilising the dog population size, the 70% vaccination coverage required to interrupt rabies transmission within a population can be maintained. The immunocontraceptive vaccine constructed in this study contained two reproductive hormones, namely GnRH and kisspeptin, in the hope of eliciting a stronger contraceptive effect than either of these could produce alone, as well as the partial tetanus toxoid gene as an immune stimulant. The nucleic acid GnRH, kisspeptin and partial tetanus toxoid gene (GKT) insert fragment was PCR amplified from a DNA construct (pVAC-GKT) and was cloned into the adenoviral vector using In-fusion cloning technology. Transfection of pAdeno-X 293 cells was confirmed using green fluorescent microscopy and expression of the Ad-GKT mRNA in cell culture was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR. The antigenicity of the Ad-GKT construct was evaluated using female Swiss Webster mice. An indirect ELISA was used to detect seroconversion of the GnRH and Kisspeptin insert fragments. The Ad-GKT construct was successful in eliciting an immune response against GnRH and kisspeptin. Future research should include a comparative study to determine the antigenicity of the Ad-GnRH1 and Ad-GKT constructs in a canine trial for potential use in rabies control programs. / Dissertation (MSc (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / The Poliomyelitis Research Foundation grant (19/89). University of Pretoria postgraduate masters research bursary. Technology Innovation Agency Seed Fund. National Research Foundation grant (122016). / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / MSc (Microbiology) / Restricted

The domestic dog is the principal reservoir of rabies in Nigeria and the source of infection for over 99% of human cases that have been documented. The first recorded cases of human and dog rabies were in 1912 and 1928 respectively. The disease has been continually diagnosed in the domestic dog until to date. One of the control measures practiced in this West African country includes the vaccination of domestic dogs with readily available rabies vaccines. However, trend analyses show that dog rabies is increasing probably indicating that the vaccination programmes are inadequate. Rabies is a member of the Lyssavirus genus and currently comprises of seven genotypes (GT 1-7) namely the classical rabies virus (RABV) GT1, Lagos bat virus (LBV) GT2, Mokola virus (MOKV) GT3, Duvenhage (DUVV) GT4, European bat lyssavirus type-1 (EBLV-1) GT5, European bat lyssavirus type-2 (EBLV-2) GT6 and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) GT7. Three of these have been identified in Nigeria (classical rabies (RABV) (GT 1), Lagos bat virus (LBV) (GT 2) and Mokola virus (MOKV) (GT 3). The domestic dog is the major maintenance and vector species of rabies in this country and the West Africa sub-region. This study was therefore undertaken to further elucidate the epidemiology of dog rabies in Nigeria. Secondly, it was the aim of this study to determine the phylogenetic relationships of dog rabies viruses and the distribution of the respective rabies variants. Finally, to assess the phylogenetic relationships of the viruses in the study sample with those of the neighbouring countries (Chad, Cameroon, Benin and Niger). A panel of 100 viruses recovered primarily from the domestic dog was included in the study. Partial regions of the nucleoprotein gene (n=100) and the cytoplasmic domain of the glycoprotein and the G-L intergenic region (n=80) were successfully amplified, sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. Nucleotide sequences of representative rabies viruses of the partial N gene of the neighbouring countries and elsewhere in Africa available in the GenBank were also included in the phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the rabies viruses from the study sample were closely related with a 99% sequence homology for both the N and G regions but despite the close homogeneity the viruses segregated into two major clusters. Within the major cluster 1, three sub-clades were identified comprising of rabies isolates from the northern part of Nigeria whereas cluster 2 was made of viruses from the southern part of the country together with an isolate from a stray dog. Further analysis of representative viruses from the study sample with viruses from the GenBank revealed an evolutionary link with the viruses from Chad, Benin, Cameroon and Niger with a ≥96% sequence homology. The demonstration of the evolutionary link of rabies viruses in the study sample and those from neighbouring countries indicates the transboundary nature of rabies and the existence of an active rabies cycle in the region. The study data revealed that a single major virus variant is circulating in domestic dogs in Nigeria belonging to the Africa 2 dog lineage. These data suggest that control strategies including mass vaccination with effective coverage of ≥70% and the control of stray dogs will contribute to the breaking of the rabies cycle. This will dramatically reduce the demand for post-exposure prophylaxis which is costly and not readily available in most states of the country. There is also a need to enforce strict movement of animals across international borders so as to diminish the spread of the infection from one area to another, as rabies still inflicts a considerable public health burden in the region and many parts of Africa. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted