Quarantine Regulations Research Articles

COVID-19 impact on medical education and the future post-pandemic era for medical students

The COVID-19 global emergency has brought about unexpected changes in the format and quality of undergraduate medical education in a short period of time. The impact of remote delivery on medical students learning, satisfaction, confidence, social relationships, communications and emotional wellbeing has been significant. The lack of direct patient and teacher contact is generating anxiety about their future competence. The ambivalence about urge to help without sufficient clinical skills and the fear of being either infected or becoming an asymptomatic carrier that puts patient safety at risk is of concern to them. Suggestions for enhancing pandemic or global emergency preparedness for the future are made. Strategies to manage the way in which remote learning is delivered need to be implemented as a matter of urgency should social distancing and quarantine regulations keep medical students away from hands-on clinical practice for long periods. Actions to maintain motivation and trust in the medical schools to meet their learning needs now and in the future are warranted.

Retrospective analysis of the on-site treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic on the Costa Crociere cruise

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is the most widespread global pandemic in the past 100 years. Person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 infection leads to the major threat of human safety and health. At 00:00 on January 24th, 2020, Tianjin City launched the first-level response to the COVID-19 epidemic. At 18:00 on the same day, Management Committee of Dongjiang Free Trade Port Zone of Tianjin received areport that there were 15 people who had fever on the Costa Crociere carrying 4 806 people from Japan back to the home port of Tianjin Dongjiang Cruise. At the same time, there are more than 140 Chinese Hubei tourists. Tianjin Municipal Committee and Government, Tianjin Customs, Binhai New Area District Committee Government, Tianjin Health Commission, Tianjin Binhai New Area Health Commission formed an emergency command center immediately to deal with the epidemic comprehensively. At 06:40 on January 25th, 2020, the medical investigation team made up by Tianjin Binhai New Area Health Commission and Tianjin East Administration of Customs boarded the cruise ship. With reference to the customs inspection and quarantine regulations, in accordance with the Diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus (trial version 3) for mulated by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and the Novel coronavirus infected pneumonia port control and technology plan (first version) formulated by the General Administration of Customs, combined with the actual situation of cruise ships, the medical investigation team developed the inspection standards, including door-to-door inspections, temperature measurement and epidemiological investigations on all persons on board of the cruise ship. A total of 4 806 person-times were investigated in the affected area, including 3 706 tourists and 1 100 crew members. Seventeen people at high risk of COVID-19 were identified, including three Wuhan tourists. The reports of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) nucleic acid detection on throat swab samples for those who were identified as high risk were returned as all negative at 14:54 on the same day. At 19:30, the medical investigation team completed the investigation and evacuated the cruise ship. The temperature measurement, medical observation and resettlement of passenger were handed over to relevant personnel. After 2 weeks, the follow-up result of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid of 17 high risk people were all negative. The overall command and comprehensive coordination of the onshore command center together with the rigid principles and excellent responds ability of the on-site epidemic investigation team ensured the successful completion of the epidemic investigation work, and also provided reference for further improving the management and disposal capacity of public health emergencies at sea.

Evaluation of the Secondary Transmission Pattern and Epidemic Prediction of COVID-19 in the Four Metropolitan Areas of China.

Understanding the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 is crucial for evaluating its spread pattern, especially in metropolitan areas of China, as its spread could lead to secondary outbreaks. In addition, the experiences gained and lessons learned from China have the potential to provide evidence to support other metropolitan areas and large cities outside China with their emerging cases. We used data reported from January 24, 2020, to February 23, 2020, to fit a model of infection, estimate the likely number of infections in four high-risk metropolitan areas based on the number of cases reported, and increase the understanding of the COVID-19 spread pattern. Considering the effect of the official quarantine regulations and travel restrictions for China, which began January 23~24, 2020, we used the daily travel intensity index from the Baidu Maps app to roughly simulate the level of restrictions and estimate the proportion of the quarantined population. A group of SEIR model statistical parameters were estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods and fitting on the basis of reported data. As a result, we estimated that the basic reproductive number, R0, was 2.91 in Beijing, 2.78 in Shanghai, 2.02 in Guangzhou, and 1.75 in Shenzhen based on the data from January 24, 2020, to February 23, 2020. In addition, we inferred the prediction results and compared the results of different levels of parameters. For example, in Beijing, the predicted peak number of cases was 467 with a peak time of March 01, 2020; however, if the city were to implement different levels (strict, moderate, or weak) of travel restrictions or regulation measures, the estimation results showed that the transmission dynamics would change and that the peak number of cases would differ by between 54% and 209%. We concluded that public health interventions would reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 and that more rigorous control and prevention measures would effectively contain its further spread, and awareness of prevention should be enhanced when businesses and social activities return to normal before the end of the epidemic. Further, the experiences gained and lessons learned from China offer the potential to provide evidence supporting other metropolitan areas and big cities with their emerging cases outside China.

갑오개혁 이전 조선정부의 검역규칙 제정과 개정문제의 대두— ｢朝鮮通商口防備瘟疫暫設章程｣을 중심으로 —

In this article, after the Joseon government enacted ‘Temporary Regulations for the Prevention of the Introduction of Infectious Diseases at the Corean Treaty ports in 1887’(朝鮮通商口防備瘟疫暫設章程), it reviewed the revised requirements that emerged in the process of operating the rules at the treaty ports. These ports were the primary gateways to manage and control the movement of people and materials using ships. The key issues were how to develop quarantine activities to prevent infectious disease, and how to cooperate with each country. In particular, the parties that had the greatest interests in quarantine issues were Joseon and Japan. The two countries ironed out their positions in establishing and operating quarantine regulations on several occasions. As time went by since the enforcement of the temporary quarantine regulations, the need to arrange operational suppplement arouse. The Japanese consuls in Wonsan and Busan presented their opinions on the matters that need to be improved in the future. These issues included the management of supervision between the Joseon Maritime Customs officer and the quarantine committee member of the local area, the expansion of the number of quarantine members, and how to deal with the expenses of moving patients from the ship to a Cholera hospital and treating them after entering the port. Konsuke Hayashi(林權助), the Japanese Consul residing in Incheon, said, “The quarantine inspections being carried out by the Joseon government are not very effective”, expressing discontent and distrust over the operation and insisting that the quarantine regulations should be newly enacted to suit Japan’s interests. To improve the problem, the Japanese minister resident Teisuke Kajiyama(梶山鼎介) collected opinions from the consuls and prepared a revised version of the quarantine regulations based on the suggestions. However, the revision of the regulation required consultations and consent of foreign diplomats, as well as officials of Joseon government. Therefore, the negotiations for the revision did not go as easily as Japan had intended.

Відповідальність за порушення карантину та санітарних правил і норм щодо запобігання поширенню коронавірусної інфекції (COVID-19) в Україні

The article analyzes the current state of application of effective mechanisms of legal support of quarantine requirements and sanitary rules and regulations for the prevention of infectious diseases. To achieve this goal, an analysis of current legislation on the grounds for establishing liability for quarantine, examined the results of court proceedings initiated for non-compliance with norms and rules for the prevention of infectious diseases, identified factors of low efficiency of Art. 44-3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses in establishing administrative liability for violations of quarantine and sanitary norms and rules. It is established that the issues of administrative and criminal liability for violation of quarantine and sanitary rules and regulations for the prevention of infectious diseases are regulated by Articles 42, 44-3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses and Article 325 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It is determined that one of the problems of ineffective application of Articles 44-3, 42 of the Administrative Code and Article 325 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is an array of new rules for the prevention of COVID-19, which is constantly changing and introduced by various actors. Another reason was the professional unpreparedness of officials of the internal affairs bodies (National Police) of Ukraine to apply sanitary and epidemiological norms when drawing up protocols on violations of quarantine norms. The study found that despite the timeliness and necessity of the regulations to establish liability for violations of statutory rules and regulations introduced to prevent COVID-19, they have a number of legal conflicts, contradictions and gaps. Proposals to eliminate these shortcomings these shortcomings were substantiated. Keywords: quarantine, administrative liability, criminal liability, infectious diseases, coronavirus, prevention, informed agreement

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Business Law: A Series of Posts from the Oxford Business Law Blog

The COVID-19 Pandemic is the biggest challenge for the world since World War Two, warned UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, on 1 April 2020. Millions of lives may be lost. The threat to our livelihoods is extreme as well. Job losses worldwide may exceed 25 million. Legal systems are under extreme stress too. Contracts are disrupted, judicial services suspended, and insolvency procedures tested. Quarantine regulations threaten constitutional liberties. However, laws can also be a powerful tool to contain the effects of the pandemic on our lives and reduce its economic fallout. To achieve this goal, rules designed for normal times might need to be adapted to ‘crisis-mode’, at least temporarily. Business Laws in particular fulfil an important function in this context. Our livelihoods depend on how well businesses are able to navigate through the current crisis. Beginning in early February 2020, the Oxford Business Law Blog has published posts on how Business Laws could contribute to containing the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and on how they need (or need not) to be adapted to achieve the desired effect. This working paper collects the posts published throughout March in chronological order. Thematically, the focus is on finance, financial regulation and insolvency laws. This is not surprising as the most pressing problem businesses face right now is to manage their cash flow. We hope that the contributions in this paper inspire more work by scholars and help policymakers worldwide to adopt the right measures to reduce the damage caused by the Pandemic.

Design and simulation of diatom-based microcantilever immunobiosensor for the early detection of Karnal bunt.

Fungal pathogen, Tilletia indica, the cause of Karnal bunt disease in wheat, is severely affecting the yield and grain quality, worldwide. Thus, strict quarantine regulations by most wheat growing countries have to be followed, leading to trade barriers for wheat export. The conventional methods being used for pathogen detection at symptomatic stage requires the germination of Tilletia spores for the processing of samples. Thus, it is time-consuming and expensive. This study proposes a simulated microcantilever-based piezoelectric biosensor for the early detection of T. indica. Four different materials, SiO2, SiC, Si3N4, and Poly Si, were used for the microcantilever design. Microcantilever was coated with siliceous frustules of diatom that provides high surface area and enhanced sensitivity for specific antibody against the antigen, T. indica. Ansys software was used for the simulation analysis. Simulation results showed that microcantilever beam of SiO2 length of 150µm, width of 30µm and thickness 1µm enhanced the sensitivity by two times against the antibody in comparison to normal microcantilever beam. The results concluded that SiO2 with coated diatom is the best material for the microcantilever fabrication, thus, providing an excellent protocol for fabrication of microcantilever-based biosensor which is both cost- and time effective.

First Report of the NA2 Clonal Lineage of Phytophthora ramorum in Indiana

The oomycete pathogen Phytophthora ramorum is the causal agent of ramorum leaf blight and sudden oak death (Rizzo et al. 2002). P. ramorum is known to cause leaf blight and stem dieback on nursery hosts including Rhododendron. The disease typically results in dark, brownish lesions on leaves or stems, which can cause wilting and death of the plant (Grunwald et al. 2008; Werres et al. 2001). Since the emergence of the disease, a federal quarantine was established to prevent the spread of the pathogen, and nurseries that export P. ramorum hosts are subject to a federally mandated certification program for interstate export (Grunwald et al. 2012). This disease has had a significant impact on the U.S. nursery industry via quarantine regulations imposed on nurseries infested with the pathogen. The pathogen has been introduced at least three times into the Western United States as clonal lineages NA1, NA2, and EU1 (Grunwald et al. 2009, 2019; Ivors et al. 2006). In the spring and summer of 2019, USDA-APHIS reported that a shipment of potentially P. ramorum-infested plants was delivered to several Eastern and Midwestern states. Rhododendron leaves from numerous counties in Indiana, showing characteristic necrotic leaf blight symptoms, were sampled by Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) nursery inspectors between April 18 and June 3, 2019. These samples were initially screened for the presence of Phytophthora at the Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory using an ELISA test (Agdia). Subsamples from tissue producing a positive ELISA result were forwarded to the Michigan State University Plant & Pest Diagnostics laboratory for P. ramorum-specific PCR testing, which was later confirmed by USDA CPHST. Leaf surfaces of P. ramorum-positive samples were surface disinfested to remove contaminating organisms by washing vigorously in 50 ml of 70% ethanol for 10 s followed by three rinses in sterile water. Washed leaves were blotted dry on sterile paper towels. From each leaf, 5-mm leaf discs were punched out of the leading edge of leaf lesions, and the resulting leaf discs were submerged in selective V8 medium amended with pimaricin, ampicillin, and rifampicin in Petri dishes. Petri dishes were incubated at 20°C until growth was present. A plug of growth from the leading edge of the resulting colony was transferred to fresh V8 medium containing a 47-mm 0.4-micron polycarbonate filter (Nucleopore) and incubated for approximately 8 days at 20°C. DNA was extracted by the Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing at Oregon State University using the Omega BioTek Plant DNA DS kit (M1130), and part of the cellulose binding elicitor lectin gene (CBEL) was amplified and sequenced with primers CBEL5U and CBEL6L (Gagnon et al. 2014). Sequences were aligned with the CBEL reference sequences of EU1 (KF679685), EU2 (KF679716), NA1 (EU688908), and NA2 (KF679712) (Gagnon et al. 2014). All 26 of the Indiana isolates were unambiguously classified as belonging to the NA2 clonal lineage (GenBank accessions MN601787 to MN601812). This is the first report of the NA2 clonal lineage outside of British Columbia, Washington, and California, indicating that this pathogen was most likely moved West to East. Prior documented lineages detected obtained from P. ramorum-infected plants in Eastern receiving states have only harbored the NA1 clonal lineage (Goss et al. 2009, 2011). As a result of these detections, the IDNR ordered destruction of more than 6,100 Rhododendron plants at retail outlets in Indiana.

Efficacy of Sulfuryl Fluoride Against Fourth-Instar Pecan Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Pecans for Quarantine Security.

The efficacy of sulfuryl fluoride was evaluated for control of fourth-instar pecan weevil, Curculio caryae (Horn), at 25°C for a 24-h exposure. Larvae, collected as they naturally emerged from pecans, were used to artificially infest pecan nuts. Infested nuts were fumigated with six concentration by time (CT) treatment dosages of sulfuryl fluoride (0-750 g-h/m3) within air-tight, glass containers. The sulfuryl fluoride concentration in each fumigation container was analyzed 30 min after sulfuryl fluoride introduction and just prior to termination of the experiment. Mean sulfuryl fluoride CT dosages were calculated from sulfuryl fluoride measurements and were used for probit analysis. The lethal accumulated dosage (LAD99) of sulfuryl fluoride for pecan weevil was 1052.0 g-h/m3 with a 95% C.I. of 683.21-2,573.0 g-h/m3. For the confirmatory trial, we used two sulfuryl fluoride CT dosage treatments, 1,100 and 1,300 g-h/m3, and a nonfumigated control. All larvae were dead in both fumigation treatments by 14-d postfumigation. Due to higher mortality in the nonfumigated control in the confirmatory trial compared to that of the dose-response trial, 1300 g-h/m3 was selected as the sulfuryl fluoride CT dosage for a proposed quarantine treatment schedule. Fumigating pecans with sulfuryl fluoride can control larval pecan weevil infestations in commercially traded nuts and maintain compliance with quarantine regulations both within and outside the United States.

Minimizing Risk and Maximizing Spatial Transferability: Challenges in Constructing a Useful Model of Potential Suitability for an Invasive Insect

AbstractForecasting the spread and potential impacts of invasive, alien species is vital to relevant management and policy decisions. Models that estimate areas of potential suitability are useful to guide early detection and eradication, inform effective budget allocations, and justify quarantine regulations. Machine-learning is a rapidly emerging technology with myriad applications, including the analysis of factors that govern species’ distributions. However, forecasts for invasive species often require extrapolation into novel spaces, which may severely erode model reliability. Using the popular machine-learning platform, MaxEnt, we integrate numerous tools and recommendations to demonstrate a method of rigorous model development that emphasizes assessment of model transferability. Our models use Lymantria dispar dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), an insect brought to the United States in the late 1860s from Europe and subsequently well monitored in spread. Recent genetic analyses provide evidence that the eastern North American population originated in Germany, France, and northern Italy. We demonstrate that models built and assessed using typical methodology for invasive species (e.g., using records from the full native geographic range) showed the smallest extent of extrapolation, but the worst transferability when validated with independent data. Conversely, models based on the purported genetic source of the eastern North American populations (i.e., a subset of the native range) showed the greatest transferability, but the largest extent of extrapolation. Overall, the model that yielded high transferability to North America and low extrapolation was built following current recommendations of spatial thinning and parameter optimization with records from both the genetic source in Europe and early North American invasion.

The status of quarantine regulation on plant virus and its challenges

The status of quarantine regulation on plant virus and its challenges

Potato cyst nematode: A hidden enemy of potato cultivation in hills

Potato cyst nematode is the most devastating pest and is one of the most important problem in potato production in India as well as worldwide. Recently, govt. of India kept quarantine regulations in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand besides Tamil Nadu which shows the seriousness of this problem. In absence of host this nematode can survive in a protective and hard cyst. Under favourable environmental and crop conditions the nematode infects the roots and gets their nourishment for development and reproduction. As a result of this plant shows yellowing and stunted growth which ultimately cause yield reductions. To get rid of this problem integrated nematode management measures such as disease free seeds, resistant varieties, crop rotation, intercropping, biological control and chemical control should be practiced to maintain the population of cyst nematode below economic threshold level.

Characterization of entomopathogenic fungi from vineyards in Argentina with potential as biological control agents against the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana

Biological control by entomopathogenic fungi is a possible alternative to chemical insecticides. As the grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), recently introduced in Argentina, is now the major pest in most of the vineyards in the country despite quarantine regulations, native entomopathogenic fungi could be a preferable alternative to current synthetic insecticides. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize native fungus strains isolated from 45 soil samples, using larvae of L. botrana as bait insect, and infected arthropods from the wine-growing region in the west of Argentina. Sixteen strains were identified, belonging to two species: four strains to Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) and 12 strains to Metarhizium robertsii (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae). Based on their physiological features, M. robertsii strains collected from the west region of Argentina seem to be the most tolerant to the high temperatures specific to this region. Therefore, being well adapted to Argentinean climate conditions, some of the native M. robertsii could be proposed as biological control agents against L. botrana.

Genome sequencing and comparison of five Tilletia species to identify candidate genes for the detection of regulated species infecting wheat

Tilletia species cause diseases on grass hosts with some causing bunt diseases on wheat (Triticum). Two of the four species infecting wheat have restricted distributions globally and are subject to quarantine regulations to prevent their spread to new areas. Tilletia indica causes Karnal bunt and is regulated by many countries while the non-regulated T. walkeri is morphologically similar and very closely related phylogenetically, but infects ryegrass (Lolium) and not wheat. Tilletia controversa causes dwarf bunt of wheat (DB) and is also regulated by some countries, while the closely related but non-regulated species, T. caries and T. laevis, both cause common bunt of wheat (CB). Historically, diagnostic methods have relied on cryptic morphology to differentiate these species in subsamples from grain shipments. Of the DNA-based methods published so far, most have focused on sequence variation among tested strains at a single gene locus. To facilitate the development of additional molecular assays for diagnostics, we generated whole genome data for multiple strains of the two regulated wheat pathogens and their closest relatives. Depending on the species, the genomes were assembled into 907 to 4633 scaffolds ranging from 24 Mb to 30 Mb with 7842 to 9952 gene models predicted. Phylogenomic analyses confirmed the placement of Tilletia in the Exobasidiomycetes and showed that T. indica and T. walkeri were in one clade whereas T. controversa, T. caries and T. laevis grouped in a separate clade. Single copy and species-specific genes were identified by orthologous group analysis. Unique species-specific genes were identified and evaluated as suitable markers to differentiate the quarantine and non-quarantine species. After further analyses and manual inspection, primers and probes for the optimum candidate genes were designed and tested in silico, for validation in future wet-lab studies.

Identification, prevalence and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum species causing anthracnose of Capsicum annuum in Asia

Anthracnose of chili (Capsicum spp.) causes major production losses throughout Asia where chili plants are grown. A total of 260 Colletotrichum isolates, associated with necrotic lesions of chili leaves and fruit were collected from chili producing areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Taiwan. Colletotrichum truncatum was the most commonly isolated species from infected chili fruit and was readily identified by its falcate spores and abundant setae in the necrotic lesions. The other isolates consisted of straight conidia (cylindrical and fusiform) which were difficult to differentiate to species based on morphological characters. Taxonomic analysis of these straight conidia isolates based on multi-gene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, gapdh, chs-1, act, tub2, his3, ApMat, gs) revealed a further seven known Colletotrichum species, C. endophyticum, C. fructicola, C. karsti, C. plurivorum, C. scovillei, C. siamense and C. tropicale. In addition, three novel species are also described as C. javanense, C. makassarense and C. tainanense, associated with anthracnose of chili fruit in West Java (Indonesia); Makassar, South Sulawesi (Indonesia); and Tainan (Taiwan), respectively. Colletotrichum siamense is reported for the first time causing anthracnose of Capsicum annuum in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. This is also the first report of C. fructicola causing anthracnose of chili in Taiwan and Thailand and C. plurivorum in Malaysia and Thailand. Of the species with straight conidia, C. scovillei (acutatum complex), was the most prevalent throughout the surveyed countries, except for Sri Lanka from where this species was not isolated. Colletotrichum siamense (gloeosporioides complex) was also common in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Pathogenicity tests on chili fruit showed that C. javanense and C. scovillei were highly aggressive, especially when inoculated on non-wounded fruit, compared to all other species. The existence of new, highly aggressive exotic species, such as C. javanense, poses a biosecurity risk to production in countries which do not have adequate quarantine regulations to restrict the entry of exotic pathogens.

Comparative genomic analysis of subspecies of Pantoea stewartii reveals distinct variations

Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (Pnss) and P. stewartii subsp. indologenes (Pnsi) are closely related plant pathogens that differ in their host specificities. Pnss is the causal agent of Stewart’s wilt of corn, whereas Pnsi causes disease on millets but not corn. Comparative genomics is a valuable method for characterizing the differences between genomes, but there are few studies on this important quarantine pathogen. Here, we compared publicly available genomes of seven strains of Pnss and three strains of Pnsi. Pan- and core-genome analyses showed that strains isolated from close geographical regions are more similar in their genome structures. Gene content and collinearity analyses further revealed numerous strain-specific genes. In particular, the Pnss type strain DC283 contained over 1200 additional genes compared with other strains. Importantly, we also identified eleven genes that are only present in Pnsi genomes and thus may be useful to distinguish between Pnss and Pnsi strains. Overall, this study characterized the common and distinct genomic features of Pnss and Pnsi, which lay the foundation for future development of molecular methods to detect the Stewart’s wilt pathogen in maize for quarantine regulations and distinguish its two subspecies.

‘To Be Shut Up’: New Evidence for the Development of Quarantine Regulations in Early-Tudor England

Summary On 13 January 1518, a series of ordinances to regulate plague outbreaks were proclaimed in London. These have previously been thought to have been the first set of quarantine measures issued in England; part of an ambitious new social policy led by the King’s chief minister, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and intended to bring England in line with the leading Renaissance states in Europe. The discovery of two previously unknown documents from the archives of St George’s College, Windsor—which predate the London ordinances—requires a reconsideration of this narrative. The article argues that demands for plague quarantine regulations were driven primarily by Henry VIII’s personal and pronounced fear of infection and considers the factors that may have led to such a fear. In doing so, it introduces new evidence for the death of Henry’s grandmother, Elizabeth Woodville, and explores the ways in which medical ideas travelled across Europe.

Environmentally friendly methods for controlling pine pitch canker

Fusarium circinatumis a highly virulent invasive pathogen that causes the disease commonly known as pine pitch canker (PPC). On mature trees, the most common symptoms ofPPCinclude resin bleeding, resinous cankers, wilting of needles and dieback. In nurseries the main symptoms are yellowish needles, and wilting of foliage and shoots.PPCis considered one of the most important diseases of conifers globally and at least 60 species ofPinusalong withPseudotsuga menziesiiare known to be susceptible. Quarantine regulations are crucial to minimize the risk of new introductions into disease‐free countries. However, if these measures fail, implementation of environmentally friendly control methods is currently encouraged in an integrated management approach that minimizes the use of chemicals in forests. This review therefore summarizes current knowledge of biological control using endophytic fungi, bacteria and viruses, and other environmentally friendly methods to controlPPC, including thermotherapy, natural products with fungicidal effects, promoters of innate host resistance mechanisms and breeding for resistance. Key research gaps to be addressed for improvement of effective management of this disease are discussed.

International postal, quarantine and safety regulations

There are numerous legislative regulations that impact on microbiology, microbial Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs) and culture collections, with which all microbiologists must comply. These affect access for collection, handling, distribution/shipping and utilisation of microbial resources. Areas where regulations are triggered are international post, quarantine and safety. The legislation and supporting documents are often difficult to find and understand, therefore the World Federation for Culture Collections (WFCC) has a long history in providing advice and guidance to help compliance with such legislation. A visit to the WFCC library (http://www.wfcc.info/wfcc_library/) will provide information on postal requirements shipping dangerous goods and on control measures in place for biosecurity to control access to dangerous pathogens. This paper will update such communications and provide relevant information on: Health and Safety (H&S); Quarantine regulations; and Postal Regulations and Safety. Other papers in this special issue will address elements that impact on distribution and use of microorganisms for example in packaging, legislation on the proliferation, distribution and misuse of dangerous pathogens, export licensing measures, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, ownership of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and the provision of safety information to the recipient of microorganisms. The advice is generic and users are advised to refer to their own National guidance and implementation acts to ensure they are compliant. The work was compiled from authors' efforts in their management of an mBRC and most recently contributions to the EMBRIC project (http://www.embric.eu/) in particular Deliverable 6.1 ‘Microbial pipeline from environment to active compounds' (http://www.embric.eu/deliverables).

Tissue-Print and Squash Capture Real-Time RT-PCR Method for Direct Detection of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in Plant or Vector Tissues.

Direct systems to process samples allow high-throughput testing or identification of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) by the sensitive real-time reverse transcription coupled to polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) neither with extract preparation nor nucleic acid purification. Immobilized CTV targets are amplified from fresh sections of plant tissues or squashes of fresh or already caught vectors onto paper, nitrocellulose, or positively charged nylon membranes. The printed or squashed support can be stored or mailed at room temperature. These validated user-friendly methods are recommended by IPPC-FAO standard for CTV diagnosis, detection, and identification. The methods are safe, not under current quarantine regulations because they do not involve any risk of introduction of exotic CTV isolates or vectors and are discrete and useful for epidemiological studies or screening for large-scale analyses. In this chapter, tissue-printing and squashing capture methods for direct sample preparation without extract preparation or nucleic acid extraction and purification were coupled with validated real-time RT-PCR detection protocols based on TaqMan chemistry for CTV detection.