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Biomedical subjects

J A Rawlings

Publications and source records attributed to J A Rawlings.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Dengue surveillance in Texas, 1995.

Dengue epidemics have been occurring in the Caribbean and Central and South America, including Mexico. In 1995, the proximity of these epidemics increased the possibility of cases occurring in Texas. In response, medical and community educational materials were distributed and active surveillance for dengue cases was initiated. By the end of the year, sera from more than 360 patients were tested for anti-dengue antibody. Twenty-nine cases were detected statewide; seven cases in southern Texas were locally acquired.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Tick-borne diseases in Texas: a 10-year retrospective examination of cases.

The occurrence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, tularemia, tick-borne relapsing fever, and a southern erythema migrans-like illness (Lyme/Lyme-like disease) is determined by the geographic distribution and seasonal activity of the particular vector tick(s). The flulike signs and symptoms early in the course of spotted fever rickettsiosis, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and relapsing fever are nonspecific and do not readily suggest a particular diagnosis. Laboratory diagnosis, particularly during the acute stage of illness, often is elusive. Empiric treatment with doxycycline can be lifesaving for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. This article provides insight into the significance of each of these tick-transmitted diseases in Texas.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, renal insufficiency, and myositis associated with infection by Bayou hantavirus.

Hantaviruses are etiologic agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, an acute illness characterized by acute renal insufficiency, proteinuria, and hemodynamic instability. Recently, a New World form of hantavirus disease, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), was recognized; in this form, pulmonary edema is prominent, but renal insufficiency is generally lacking. HPS cases from the southeastern United States may be exceptional in that they have exhibited both pulmonary and renal manifestations. One case in Louisiana and one case in Florida were linked to infection by the distinct but closely related Bayou and Black Creek Canal hantaviruses, respectively. We report a nonfatal case of HPS caused by Bayou hantavirus that occurred in eastern Texas. Clinical manifestations included pulmonary and renal insufficiency and myositis, which had previously been observed in the patient from Florida. The occurrence of distinctive clinical abnormalities in HPS cases from the southeastern United States supports the concept that there are clinically significant differences between western and southeastern forms of HPS.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cocirculation of multiple hantaviruses in Texas, with characterization of the small (S) genome of a previously undescribed virus of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus).

An environmental and laboratory investigation was conducted after a fatal childhood case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome occurred in Deaf Smith County, Texas in May 1995. A trapping campaign was conducted to identify possible rodent carriers. Six species of murid and heteromyid rodents were collected, and at least one hantavirus-seropositive specimen was found in each of the five murid species. Tissues from a selection of 11 seropositive specimens were examined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of viral genetic material. The predominant hantavirus was El Moro Canyon virus (ELMCV), which occurred in three of three harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) and in three of four deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) examined. Sin Nombre virus (SNV) was found in one deer mouse and one white-footed mouse (P. leucopus). A seropositive house mouse (Mus musculus) was negative by PCR. Two cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were infected by a virus of novel genotype (Muleshoe virus [MULEV]) that bears closet resemblance to Bayou hantavirus. The sequence of the complete small genomic segment was determined for one MULEV, and high-level expression of its nucleocapsid protein was induced in Escherichia coli. Serologic studies indicated that the most likely etiologic agent in the human infection was SNV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

An overview of tick-borne relapsing fever with emphasis on outbreaks in Texas.

Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF), a disease of humans and other animals, has been recognized in North America since early in this century. Caused by Borrelia spirochetes, TBRF is transmitted by softshelled Ornithodoros ticks, which may also act as reservoirs for the etiologic agents. Initial symptoms include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, arthralgias, and myalgias. Persons with TBRF may suffer several febrile episodes or relapses unless they are diagnosed and treated promptly because TBRF spirochetes are able to alter their outer surface proteins and, thus, escape the infected host's immune response. Laboratory diagnosis is made by detecting spirochetes in peripheral blood specimens or by inoculating laboratory mice with blood collected during febrile episodes. In the 1930s and '40s, TBRF was reported commonly in Texas. More recently, fewer cases have been reported, although 13 cases were confirmed between 1990 and the first half of 1994.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of Borrelia (Spirochaetaceae) spirochetes in Texas ticks.

Between 1990 and 1992, ticks from eight Texas parks were collected and analyzed to determine the prevalence of spirochete-infected ticks. Borrelia spirochetes were detected in 1.03% of 5,141 Amblyomma americanum (L.) adults examined, a species Texas residents often encounter. No spirochetes were observed in the other tick species tested.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi from arthropods collected in Texas.

The Texas Department of Health Laboratory cultured arthropods from November 1988 through December 1989 in an attempt to isolate Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease. Spirochetes were isolated from eight of 1,093 pools of arthropods cultured. The spirochetal isolates were from several tick and one flea species, including Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, Ixodes scapularis, and Ctenocephalides felis. These 8 isolates reacted specifically when treated with monoclonal antibodies to B. burgdorferi. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of six lysates showed them to be virtually identical with strain B31 of B. burgdorferi.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Isolation of Borrelia spirochetes from patients in Texas.

The Texas Department of Health Laboratory began culturing the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi in 1985. This organism was subsequently isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, joint fluid, skin, bone, and autopsy tissues from humans. Fluorescent-antibody tests with murine monoclonal antibodies confirmed that seven of these isolates were B. burgdorferi and that two others belonged to the genus Borrelia.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1986

Epidemiology of murine typhus in Texas. 1980 through 1984.

From 1980 through 1984, a total of 200 cases of murine typhus were reported in Texas. All cases were confirmed by the indirect fluorescent antibody assay or latex agglutination test. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 90 years (median, 35 years). Fifty-one percent were female. Seventy-four percent of the patients resided in south Texas. Illness occurred in all months of the year, but 40% of the cases had onset in April, May, or June. Annual incidence increased with age and was higher in Hispanics. Murine typhus continues to be an important public health problem in Texas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Occupational dermatitis associated with straw itch mites (Pyemotes ventricosus).

A 1981 outbreak of dermatitis in Austin, Tex, was traced to occupational exposure to wheat infested with the straw itch mite, Pyemotes ventricosus; the wheat was being sold for decorative purposes by an imported-goods store located on the second floor of a large, modern, shopping mall complex. In addition to an extensive varicelliform skin eruption, one employee also had chills, fever, malaise, diarrhea, and anorexia associated with her exposure to these mites. The straw itch mite has been associated with several large epidemics of dermatitis during the 19th and 20th centuries. This outbreak is the third reported in Texas since 1961. Physicians should consider the possibility of straw itch mite infestations of products brought into the home or places of employment when they observe patients with a varicelliform or chigger-bite-like dermatitis, which may be accompanied by constitutional symptoms.

Adult↗