Simian immunodeficiency virus

The Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), also known as the African Green Monkey virus, is a retrovirus able to infect at least 33 species of African primates. Based on analysis of strains found in four species of monkeys from Bioko Island, which was isolated from the mainland by rising sea levels about 11,000 years ago, it has been concluded that SIV has been present in monkeys and apes for at least 32,000 years, and probably much longer.

Virus strains from two of these primate species, SIVsmm in sooty mangabeys and SIVcpz in chimpanzees, are believed to have crossed the species barrier into humans, resulting in HIV-2 and HIV-1, respectively. The most likely route of transmission of HIV-1 to humans involves contact with the blood of chimps that are often hunted for bushmeat in Africa.
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Updates About Swine Flu

This is a subscribed email from arcamax.com. I am just sharing this article just to give you some information about the latest Swine Flu Virus that hit the whole world now. Keep reading and be informed! Happy Thursday

Swine flu not linked with today's pigs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (UPI) -- A Purdue University veterinarian says flu viruses are named for the first animal in which they are found; the current swine flu was discovered in pigs in 1930.

That discovery is the only reason the current outbreak is called swine flu, said Purdue swine medicine expert Sandy Amass. "We don't even know if the virus found in humans will infect pigs."

No U.S. pigs have been found with swine flu (H1N1) in the current outbreak -- only humans -- but Amass says pork producers should take precautionary measures to protect their herds from being infected with any flu virus:

-- Do not permit people, including employees that have the flu or flu-like symptoms, in or around barns.

-- Do not allow any visitors to the farm, especially international visitors who have had contact with other livestock.

-- If pigs show flu symptoms -- coughing, runny nose, fever and a reduction in feed intake -- call a veterinarian and have them tested.

"It's important to make sure your biosecurity procedures are being followed," Amass said. "If you have any concern, work with your vet because they know your operation best."

Copyright 2009 by United Press International
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Subject: Fw: Leptospirosis Disease

I have this forwarded email in my inbox. I thought of sharing this before I will delete it..who knows this might help some people out there who love to drink directly on bottles or cans..I believed nothing will be lost if I just share this here, whether this is true or not, it is worth sharing...keep reading please this might help you!! thanks and have a great weekend ahead!!

Subject: Fw: Leptospirosis Disease

This incident happened recently in North Texas . A woman went boating one Sunday taking with her some cans of coke which she put into the refrigerator of the boat. On Monday she was taken to the hospital and placed in ICU. She died on Wednesday.

The autopsy concluded she died of Leptospirosis. This was traced to the can of coke she drank from without using a glass. Tests showed that the can was infected by dried rat urine and hence the disease Leptospirosis.

Rat urine contains toxic and deathly substances. It is highly recommended to thoroughly wash the upper part of soda cans before drinking out of them. The cans are typically stocked in warehouse s and transported straight to the shops without being cleaned.

A study at NYCU showed that the tops of soda cans are more contaminated than public toilets (i.e)... full of germs and bacteria. So wash them with water before putting them to the mouth to avoid any kind of fatal accident.

Please forward this message to all the people you care about.
(I JUST DID)

Step taken in fighting staph infections

IOWA CITY, Iowa (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have succeeded in killing established biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus by using one of the bacteria's own regulatory systems. Although the discovery isn't ready for clinical application, University of Iowa researchers said their findings offer insight into a dispersal mechanism for staph biofilms and might help identify therapeutic targets.

Biofilms are communities of bacteria that grow on moist surfaces, including heart valves, bone and medical implants, the scientists said. Highly resistant to antibiotic therapy, biofilm infections represent a tough and dangerous medical problem.

"We have shown that activating the cells' communication system, also known as quorum sensing, in established biofilms causes the biofilms to disperse rapidly," said Assistant Professor Alexander Horswill.

"This is the first report of an existing dispersal pathway in Staph aureus. If we can tap into this mechanism, then that might lead to better treatments." The findings were published in the April 25 issue of the journal PL0S Pathogens.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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Study finds new aspect of sickle cell

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have found sickle cell patients' blood contains clumps, or aggregates, of red and white blood cells that might contribute to the disease.

It's been long known that patients with sickle cell disease have malformed, "sickle-shaped" red blood cells that can cause sudden painful episodes when they block small blood vessels.

Now, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have shown blood from sickle cell patients also contains clumps of red and white blood cells.

The scientists said their finding marks the first time aggregates made up of red blood cells and white blood cells have been found in whole blood from sickle cell patients. The study also shows how the red and white blood cells adhere to one another.

"If the blockages are caused by these chunks of aggregates that are circulating in the blood, and we know how the aggregates are sticking together, we potentially could design drugs to disrupt the aggregates so that they pass through the blood vessel more freely," Assistant Professor Julia Brittain said.

The study was published on-line April 18 in the British Journal of Hematology.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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