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I Damon

Publications and source records attributed to I Damon.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Development and experience with an algorithm to evaluate suspected smallpox cases in the United States, 2002-2004.

Concerns that smallpox, an eradicated disease, might reappear because of a bioterror attack and limited experience with smallpox diagnosis in the United States prompted us to design a clinical algorithm. We used clinical features of classic smallpox to classify persons presenting with suspected smallpox rashes into 3 categories: those with high, those with moderate, and those with low risk of having smallpox. The classification guides subsequent diagnostic strategies, limiting smallpox laboratory testing to high-risk persons to minimize the number of false-positive test results. From January 2002 through June 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received 43 consultations regarding suspected smallpox cases. No patient was at high risk for having smallpox. One patient was tested for the presence of variola virus. Varicella was the diagnosis for 23 cases (53%). The algorithm worked well to guide clinical and public health responses to suspected smallpox cases. The poster is available from CDC, and an interactive version and laboratory protocol are available at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/diagnosis/riskalgorithm/index.asp. We recommend use of the algorithm in the United States and elsewhere.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Broad spectrum chemokine antagonistic activity of a human poxvirus chemokine homolog.

A secreted CC chemokine homolog, encoded by the MC148 gene of molluscum contagiosum virus, potently interfered with the chemotaxis of human monocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in response to a large number of CC and CXC chemokines with diverse receptor specificities. Evidence that the viral protein binds to human chemokine receptors was obtained by competition binding and calcium mobilization experiments. The broad spectrum chemokine antagonistic activity of MC148 can explain the prolonged absence of an inflammatory response in skin tumors that harbor replicating molluscum contagiosum virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Chemokine homolog of molluscum contagiosum virus: sequence conservation and expression.

An analysis of the complete Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV-1) genome sequence revealed a 104-amino-acid open reading frame (MC148R) that is structurally related to the beta (CC) family of chemokines. The predicted MCV chemokine homolog (MCCH) has a deletion in the NH2-terminal activation domain, suggesting the absence of chemoattractant activity. The principal objectives of the present study were to determine whether: (i) MCCH is conserved in independent isolates of MCV-1 and MCV-2; (ii) MCCH mRNA is expressed in vivo; and (iii) the MCCH protein is secreted from mammalian cells. The nucleotide sequence of the MCCH gene locus was determined for 27 isolates of MCV-1 and 2 of MCV-2 obtained from 29 MCV-infected individuals. In each case, the characteristic CC sequence, the NH2-terminal deletion, and the length of the open reading frame were conserved, although there were some, mostly conservative, amino acid substitutions. Since MCV cannot be propagated in cell culture, mRNA was synthesized in vitro by the early transcription apparatus in purified MCV virions. MCCH RNA was amplified by RT-PCR; the sequence included the complete open reading frame and extended 40 to 50 nucleotides past the first poxviral termination signal (TTTTTNT). Similar RT-PCR results were obtained using total cellular RNA derived from MCV-infected tissue specimens. Finally, the MCCH open reading frame was expressed in a vaccinia virus vector and the predicted size polypeptide was secreted into the medium, as determined by Western blotting. Taken together, our data support the prediction that MCV expresses a secreted chemokine homolog that could antagonize the inflammatory response in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modeling potential responses to smallpox as a bioterrorist weapon.

We constructed a mathematical model to describe the spread of smallpox after a deliberate release of the virus. Assuming 100 persons initially infected and 3 persons infected per infectious person, quarantine alone could stop disease transmission but would require a minimum daily removal rate of 50% of those with overt symptoms. Vaccination would stop the outbreak within 365 days after release only if disease transmission were reduced to <0.85 persons infected per infectious person. A combined vaccination and quarantine campaign could stop an outbreak if a daily quarantine rate of 25% were achieved and vaccination reduced smallpox transmission by > or = 33%. In such a scenario, approximately 4,200 cases would occur and 365 days would be needed to stop the outbreak. Historical data indicate that a median of 2,155 smallpox vaccine doses per case were given to stop outbreaks, implying that a stockpile of 40 million doses should be adequate.

Biological Warfare↗