Department of Veterinary Medicine: Research Projects

1. Sentinel animal study for flavivirus surveillance in the vicinity of Sangkhlaburi.
2001-2002
Description: Biological samples collected were assayed for the presence of flaviviruses
Collaborators: Department of Virology, AFRIMS.

2. Anti-malarial treatment efficacy of artelinate and artesunate in the Rhesus monkey/Plasmodium coatneyi model.
2001-2002
Description: Large scale study to compare artelinate and artesunate.

3. Veterinary Medical Support of GEIS field studies in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Staff: Montip Gettayacamin, DVM, LTC Terrell Blanchard, DVM, Anchalee Tungtaeng, MS, Phongsak Maneerat
Background: For the past several years, the AFRIMS Department of Immunology and Medicine has attempted to identify:
new or emerging zoonotic
vector-borne diseases
as causes of febrile illnesses among the people living in Sangkhlaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.

Preliminary serologic analyses suggested that the people in this locale may be commonly exposed to several tick-borne agents, including spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia and granulocytic ehrlichia. As a part of the efforts to identify the putative pathogens, isolation of organisms present in clinical samples was carried out in laboratory rodents. This work was performed in an AAALAC-accredited laboratory animal facility co-located with the AFRIMS-KRCH Clinical Research Center, since it was impractical to transport the clinical samples back to Bangkok for such studies, due to the distance of over 300 kms and often poor road conditions. The AFRIMS Department of Veterinary Medicine provided complete laboratory animal medical and veterinary support for this important field study.

Methods: Febrile patients presenting to KRCH were potential study subjects, and they included Thais and ethnic minorities such as Burmese, Karen, and Mon. These patients were enrolled in the "Fever Study" (WRAIR #745).

Subjects with clinical signs, symptoms, laboratory findings and history suggestive of tick-borne rickettsioses, or whose sera were reactive to SFG rickettsiae or ehrlichiae by dot-ELISA assays, were selected for diagnostic confirmation by rodent inoculation. Blood and/or cutaneous biopsy specimens were inoculated intraperitoneally into rodents. When ehrlichiosis was suspected, mice were used; guinea pigs were used when rickettsiosis was suspected. Animals were monitored for development of sepsis, fever, orchitis, circulating ehrlichia-infected leukocytes, and other parameters for up to 21 days. All inoculated animals that became infected were euthanized and necropsied for collection of blood and other biosamples (e.g. peritoneal scrapes, tunica vaginalis mesothelium, spleen or lung tissue).

Progress and accomplishments: All laboratory animals, support equipment for housing, husbandry, and laboratory procedures were provided and transported to the field site, and replenished as necessary throughout the year. Veterinary technical personnel from AFRIMS traveled to and remained on-site on a TDY basis for several extensive periods to ensure proper care and handling of the laboratory animals, assist in the laboratory procedures, and supervise all aspects of the animal research operations.

Dissemination of information:
AFRIMS Website
Department of Defense GEIS report

Training and workshops: Training in basic aspects of humane animal care and use procedures was provided to Dr. Phil Parola, an associate investigator from the Harvard School of Public Health prior to initiation of the study. Additional training in laboratory animal husbandry and facility operations was provided to locally-hired Thai lay staff on an ad-hoc basis.

Impact: Emerging rickettsioses as causes of human febrile illness have been identified. For example, Rickettsia felis has been found responsible for SFG rickettsiosis for the first time in Asia.

Conclusions: Veterinary medical and laboratory animal support remains valuable in studies to elucidate causes of new and emerging infectious diseases in Thailand.

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