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Biomedical subjects

L A Detwiler

Publications and source records attributed to L A Detwiler.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The epidemiology of scrapie.

This review provides an update on the epidemiology of scrapie. The authors provide historical and recent information regarding the determination of geographical distribution, pathogenesis, transmission, genetic influence and the dynamics of scrapie within a flock. Also described are the risk factors associated with the disease and its spread within and between flocks. The current science may assist in providing a foundation on which prevention and control programmes may be based. Some examples of current national scrapie programmes are summarised.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Epidemiologic analysis of reported scrapie in sheep in the United States: 1,117 cases (1947-1992)

OBJECTIVE: To determine epidemiologic features associated with reported cases of scrapie in sheep in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Records for scrapie-positive sheep flocks and sheep with clinical signs consistent with scrapie reported to the USDA from 1947 through 1992. PROCEDURE: Records from the USDA's scrapie control and eradication program were abstracted, entered into a computer database, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: 1,117 sheep from 657 flocks located in 39 states were scrapie positive during the study period. Seasonal or spatial trends were not evident. Mean yearly proportion of scrapie-positive flocks increased slightly from 1965 through 1992. One hundred sixty-eight rams and 949 ewes were reported to be scrapie positive during the study period, which was slightly more rams than expected if the disease was equally likely to affect rams and ewes. Suffolks (972/1,117; 87%) and Hampshires (68/1,117; 6%) were most commonly affected. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of scrapie in sheep in the United States is unknown. Bias in this study may have resulted from inconsistencies in available information, misclassification of sheep with clinically suspicious signs of scrapie, and changes in the national scrapie control and eradication program that likely affected willingness of owners and veterinarians to report potentially infected sheep.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Sourcing pharmaceutical, biological and medical components from livestock in the United States.

The practice of using livestock as a source of pharmaceutical, biological and medicinal components is growing. Livestock donors may be kept in research-type settings where the majority of variables are controlled. Livestock or livestock by-products may originate from known farms where there is some input into management, or products may be obtained from random-source livestock at slaughter. In the case of random-source animals, little or no information may be available about the health status of the individual animal or the farm of origin.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1992

Scrapie.

A detailed review is presented of the history, geographical distribution, cause, epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, prevention, control and economic effects of scrapie in sheep. Brief mention is made of the disease in goats and moufflon. The nature of the agent causing scrapie, the genetic control of the incubation period in sheep and the natural transmission of scrapie in sheep and goats are discussed. National efforts to control scrapie in various countries are outlined.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy: an overview.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), widely known as "mad cow disease," is a chronic, degenerative disease affecting the central nervous system of cattle. Worldwide, there have been more than 180,000 cases since the disease was first diagnosed in 1986 in Great Britain. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy has had a substantial impact on the livestock industry in the United Kingdom. The disease has also been confirmed in native-born cattle in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Switzerland. However, over 95% of all BSE cases have occurred in the United Kingdom. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is not known to exist in the United States.

Animals↗