Category: Human allergies, cancer & zoonotic diseases

Rabies Vaccination Program Underway in Western Pennsylvania

News for Immediate Release
Aug. 19, 2011
Rabies Vaccination Program Underway in Western Pennsylvania
Harrisburg – The annual oral rabies vaccination program, which helps control the spread of rabies in wild animals, is underway in eight western Pennsylvania counties. The program covers all or parts of Allegheny, Beaver, Crawford, Erie, Greene, Lawrence, Mercer and Washington counties. “Controlling the spread of rabies in wild animals is essential to ensuring human and domestic animal health,” said Agriculture Secretary George Greig. “The oral rabies vaccination program has been the key component in preventing the westward spread of raccoon rabies. I appreciate the cooperation of residents in the affected counties in helping us to mitigate the threat of rabies.” Continue reading Rabies Vaccination Program Underway in Western Pennsylvania

Cancer detection in humans

Detection of lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers from exhaled breath using a single array of nanosensors
G Peng1,2,5, M Hakim1,5, Y Y Broza1,5, S Billan3, R Abdah-Bortnyak3, A Kuten3,4, U Tisch1,2 and H Haick1,2

Abstract
Background:

Tumour growth is accompanied by gene and/or protein changes that may lead to peroxidation of the cell membrane species and, hence, to the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, we investigated the ability of a nanosensor array to discriminate between breath VOCs that characterise healthy states and the most widespread cancer states in the developed world: lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers.
Continue reading Cancer detection in humans

Colorectal cancer screening by canines

Colorectal cancer screening with odour material by canine scent detection
Press Release
Abstract
Objective Early detection and early treatment are of vital importance to the successful treatment of various cancers. The development of a novel screening method that is as economical and non-invasive as the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is needed. A study was undertaken using canine scent detection to determine whether odour material can become an effective tool in CRC screening. Continue reading Colorectal cancer screening by canines

Canine scent detection in the diagnosis of lung cancer

Canine scent detection in the diagnosis of lung cancer: Revisiting a puzzling phenomenon

1. R. Ehmann*§,    2. E. Boedeker#§,    3. U. Friedrich¶,    4. J. Sagert¶,    5. J. Dippon+,    6. G.Friedel#    7. T. Walles#?

1. T. Walles, Schillerhoehe Hospital, Dept of Thoracic Surgery, Solitudestrasse 18, D-70839 Gerlingen, Germany, E-mail: Thorsten.Walles@klinik-schillerhoehe.de

Abstract

Patient prognosis in lung cancer (LC) largely depends on early diagnosis. Exhaled breath of patients may represent the ideal specimen for future LC screening. However, the clinical applicability of current diagnostic sensor technologies based on signal pattern analysis remains incalculable due to their inability to identify a clear target. To test the robustness of the presence of a so far unknown volatile organic compound in the breath of patients with LC, sniffer dogs were applied.

Exhalation samples of 220 volunteers (healthy individuals, confirmed LC, or COPD) were presented to sniffer dogs following a rigid scientific protocol. Patient history, drug administration and clinicopathological data were analysed to identify potential bias or confounders.

LC was identified with an overall sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 93%. LC detection was independent from COPD and the presence of tobacco smoke and food odors. Logistic regression identified two drugs as potential confounders.

It must be assumed, that a robust and specific volatile organic compound (or pattern) is present in the breath of patients with LC. Additional research efforts are required to overcome the current technical limitations of electronic sensor technologies to engineer a clinically applicable screening tool.

+ Author Affiliations

1.*Ambulante Pneumologie, Rotebuehlplatz 19, 70178 Stuttgart, Germany
2.#Dept of General Thoracic Surgery, Schillerhoehe Hospital, Solitudestrasse 18, 70839 Gerlingen, Germany
3.¶TeamCanin, An der Burg 1, 79843 Loeffingen, Germany
4.+Dept of Mathematics, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart. Germany
5.§both authors contributed equally

Pets, Delivery mode, Race: Keys in early allergy risk

Prenatal Pet Exposure, Delivery Mode, Race Are Key Factors In Early Allergy Risk
Medical News Today 10 Aug 2011

Prenatal pet exposure, a mother’s delivery mode and race are influential factors in a child’s risk of developing allergies by age 2, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.

In a study believed to be the first of its kind, Henry Ford researchers found that babies who have indoor prenatal pet exposure have a pattern of lower levels of the antibody Immunoglobulin E, or IgE, between birth and age 2. IgE is linked to the development of allergies and asthma.

Key findings:

  • IgE levels were 28 percent lower during infancy in babies who had indoor prenatal pet exposure compared to babies from pet-free homes.
  • IgE levels were 16 percent lower in infants who had indoor prenatal pet exposure and were born vaginally compared to 43 percent in infants who had indoor prenatal pet exposure and were born by cesarean section.
  • IgE levels were 33 percent lower in infants who had indoor prenatal pet exposure and were either European, Asian or Middle Eastern descent compared to compared to
  • 10 percent lower in infants who had indoor prenatal pet exposure and were African-American.

The findings are published online at The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at http://www.jacionline.org/inpress

“We believe having a broad, diverse exposure to a wide array of microbacteria at home and during the birthing process influences the development of a child’s immune system” says Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, chair of Henry Ford’s Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study.

Dr. Johnson says the findings support the so-called hygiene hypothesis, which theorizes that early childhood exposure to infectious agents affects the immune system’s development and onset of allergies and asthma.

Prior published research by Henry Ford’s Department of Public Health Sciences has shown that pet exposure has a protective effect against early allergy development. She theorizes that babies born through the birth canal are exposed to a higher and more diverse burden of bacteria, further boosting the immune system’s protection against allergies.

“Our findings may provide insight into the biological mechanisms that increase the risk for allergic disorders,” Dr. Johnson says. She theorizes that “genetic variants” may explain the higher levels of IgE levels in African American newborns.

Henry Ford researchers followed 1,187 newborns August 2003 and November 2007 and collected blood samples for measuring IgE levels at birth, six months, one year and two years.

Of the birth mothers, 62 percent were African American and 33 percent were European Americans. Of the babies born, 751 were delivered vaginally and 436 were delivered cesarean. There was at least one indoor pet in the homes of 420 mothers.

The study was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/232454.php

No Scientific Basis For Hypoallergenic Dogs Having Less Allergen

No Scientific Basis For Hypoallergenic Dogs Having Less Allergen
10 Jul 2011
Contrary to popular belief, so-called hypoallergenic dogs do not have lower household allergen levels than other dogs.

That’s the conclusion of a study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers who sought to evaluate whether hypoallergenic dogs have a lower dog allergen in the home than other dogs. Hypoallergenic dogs are believed to produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur. Continue reading No Scientific Basis For Hypoallergenic Dogs Having Less Allergen