Bernard C. Easterday

The prevalence of influenza viruses in swine and the antigenic and genetic relatedness of influenza viruses from man and swine.

Abstract Serological and virological surveillance of swine during 1976-77 showed that Hsw1N1 influenza viruses were prevalent throughout the swine population of the U.S., particularly in the northern states. A low incidence of H3N2 virus infections was detected serologically in pigs and confirmed by the isolation of a virus antigenically similar to A/Vic/3/75 from one herd. Both the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens of the human New Jersey isolate, A/NJ/8/76, were indistinguishable from those of selected Hsw1N1 influenza viruses isolated from pigs from 1970 to 1977 and from man in 1976; these antigenically similar viruses were serologically separable from earlier swine viruses. The RNAs from Hsw1N1 viruses were separated by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and the RNA migration patterns among viruses from both species were noticeably different. The only viruses with identical RNA migration patterns were human and swine isolates from the same farm in Wisconsin.

Serologic Evidence of H1 Swine Influenza Virus Infection in Swine Farm Residents and Employees

We evaluated seropositivity to swine and human H1 influenza viruses in 74 swine farm owners, employees, their family members, and veterinarians in rural south-central Wisconsin, compared with 114 urban Milwaukee, Wisconsin, residents. The number of swine farm participants with positive serum hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody titers >40 to swine influenza viruses (17/74) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the number of seropositive urban control samples (1/114). The geometric mean serum HI antibody titers to swine influenza viruses were also significantly higher (p<0.001) among the farm participants. Swine virus seropositivity was significantly (p<0.05) associated with being a farm owner or a farm family member, living on a farm, or entering the swine barn >4 days/week. Because pigs can play a role in generating genetically novel influenza viruses, swine farmers may represent an important sentinel population to evaluate the emergence of new pandemic influenza viruses.

KIDNEY LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH MORTALITY IN CHICKENS INOCULATED WITH WATERFOWL INFLUENZA VIRUSES

Seventy-six type A influenza viruses recovered from waterfowl in Wisconsin, California, South Dakota, Florida, Texas, Alabama, and Nebraska were tested for virulence in chickens. The challenge to chickens was intravenous inoculation of first-, second-, or third-egg-passage virus. Each of the virus strains was tested separately in three or four chickens. Eighteen of the 76 viruses caused the death of one or more chickens following inoculation. Postmortem lesions were similar in all dead birds. In decreasing order of frequency, gross lesions included: swollen kidneys evident as accentuated lobular patterns, urates in the pericardial sac, and urates on the surface of the liver. Microscopic lesions present in kidneys were consistent with visceral gout. Mortality was associated with inoculations having higher concentrations of infectious virus. These results indicate that the influenza A viruses circulating in duck populations may include strains potentially pathogenic for chickens.

Latency of Pseudorabies Virus

The restriction patterns of genomes of twelve different field isolates of PrV were analyzed. All were found to differ. In most cases, the basis of the differences in restriction patterns was found to lie in the acquisition or deletion of sequences which appear to be nonessential to the productive infection of RK cells. Mutagenesis of a laboratory virus stock also resulted in the isolation of mutants with similar modifications in their genomes.

Creating a center for global health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Globalization, migration, and widespread health disparities call for interdisciplinary approaches to improve health care at home and abroad. Health professions students are pursuing study abroad in increasing numbers, and universities are responding with programs to address these needs. The University of Wisconsin (UW)–Madison schools of medicine and public health, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and the division of international studies have created an interdisciplinary center for global health (CGH). The CGH provides health professions and graduate students with courses, field experiences, and a new Certificate in Global Health. Educational programs have catalyzed a network of enthusiastic UW global health scholars. Partnerships with colleagues in less economically developed countries provide the foundation for education, research, and service programs. Participants have collaborated to improve the education of health professionals and nutrition in Uganda; explore the interplay between culture, community development, and health in Ecuador; improve animal health and address domestic violence in Mexico; and examine successful public health efforts in Thailand. These programs supply students with opportunities to understand the complex determinants of health and structure of health systems, develop adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills, experience learning and working in interdisciplinary teams, and promote equity and reduce health disparities at home and abroad. Based on the principles of equity, sustainability, and reciprocity, the CGH provides a strong foundation to address global health challenges through networking and collaboration among students, staff, and faculty within the UW and beyond.

Evaluation of 6-Azauridine and 5-Iododeoxyuridine in the Treatment of Experimental Viral Infections

Abstract The potential antiviral activity of 6-azauridine and 5-iododeoxyuridine was evaluated in a coordinated study at five institutions. Experimental models in five species, the mouse, rabbit, swine, cat, and ferret, were established with use of 10 viruses: Herpesvirus hominis types 1 and 2, murine cytomegalovirus, vaccinia virus, Shope fibroma virus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus, swine influenza virus, feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, feline panleukopenia virus, and ferret distemper virus. Criteria for selection were: (1) representation from a number of major groups of viruses, (2) reproduction of natural routes of infection, and (3) simulation of potentially treatable viral infections of man. Antiviral activity was observed for 5-iododeoxyuridine in H. hominis infections in hairless mice and influenza in swine, and a slight degree of efficacy was noted in rabbits infected with Shope fibroma virus. Toxicity was also observed in most of the experimental models. There was a suggestion of antiviral activity with 6-azauridine in swine infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus; however, enhancement of disease and some toxicity were seen in most of the other models. Efficacy of these two compounds was not well substantiated by these studies.

History of Swine influenza.

Swine influenza is a continual problem for the Swine industry and can pose a public health threat as evidenced by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic. Given its importance, it is not surprising to find papers describing the disease from the early 20th century. In this chapter, we discuss the history of Swine influenza, the important role swine influenza virus has played in our understanding of influenza virus pathogenesis and virology, and its impact on public health worldwide.

Ecosystem Interactions Underlie the Spread of Avian Influenza A Viruses with Pandemic Potential.

Despite evidence for avian influenza A virus (AIV) transmission between wild and domestic ecosystems, the roles of bird migration and poultry trade in the spread of viruses remain enigmatic. In this study, we integrate ecosystem interactions into a phylogeographic model to assess the contribution of wild and domestic hosts to AIV distribution and persistence. Analysis of globally sampled AIV datasets shows frequent two-way transmission between wild and domestic ecosystems. In general, viral flow from domestic to wild bird populations was restricted to within a geographic region. In contrast, spillover from wild to domestic populations occurred both within and between regions. Wild birds mediated long-distance dispersal at intercontinental scales whereas viral spread among poultry populations was a major driver of regional spread. Viral spread between poultry flocks frequently originated from persistent lineages circulating in regions of intensive poultry production. Our analysis of long-term surveillance data demonstrates that meaningful insights can be inferred from integrating ecosystem into phylogeographic reconstructions that may be consequential for pandemic preparedness and livestock protection.

Influenza research in the Soviet Union--1974.

tamination procedures must be responsible. A means for interruption of such transmission must be sought. (g) Risk figures for patients of HB Agpositive physicians, surgeons, and dentists should be developed. If carriage of HG Ag is hazardous to patients, the risk should be defined, and appropriate measures developed for reduction of the risk. (h) The effect of the season on dissemination of herpesviruses should be studied. In addition, the cytomegalovirus group should be evaluated for antigenic variants, since there may be considerable variation in potential for disease among different members of this group. (i) Measures for the increase of specific resistance to representatives of the herpesvirus group should be evaluated. While the effectiveness of specific attenuated or inactivated vaccines may appear to be unlikely on theoretical grounds, transfer factor and other cellular immunological approaches should be studied. (3) Personnel, physicians, and nurses must be trained in hospital epidemiology, surveillance, and control procedures, to implement and to increase the available knowledge. In addition, innovative approaches to the dissemination of knowledge concerning the usage of antimicrobial agents, hazards of various invasive procedures, and hospital control practices must be encouraged.