The Charles River "hairless" rat mutation maps to chromosome 1: allelic with fuzzy and a likely orthologue of mouse frizzy.

Recent evidence has indicated that the recessive mutation affecting hypotrichosis in the Charles River (CR) "hairless" rat does not involve the hairless gene (hr) on rat chromosome 15. To determine if this mutation might be allelic (or orthologous) with any other previously mapped hypotrichosis-generating mutation in mammals, we have produced a panel of backcross rats segregating for the CR hairless rat mutation as well as numerous other markers from throughout the rat genome. Analysis of this panel has located the CR hairless rat's hypotrichosis-generating mutation on chromosome 1, near Myl2, where only the fuzzy mutation in rat (fz) and the frizzy mutation in mouse (fr) have been previously localized. Intercrossing fz/fz and CR hairless rats produced hybrid offspring with abnormal hair, showing that these two rat mutations are allelic. We suggest that the CR hairless rat mutation and fuzzy be renamed frizzy-Charles River (fr(CR)) and frizzy-Harlan (fr(H)), respectively, to reflect their likely orthology with the mouse fr mutation.

Infantile botulism.

A 4 month old boy presented with respiratory difficulty and hypotonia. Clostridium botulinum and its toxin were isolated from his faeces and he had electromyographic changes typical of infantile botulism. This is only the second case in the United Kingdom: unfamiliarity with the presentation could result in misdiagnosis.

Evaluation of ELISA, RPLA, and Vero cell assays for detecting Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin in faecal specimens.

Three hundred and ninety two faecal specimens from 70 separate outbreaks of suspected Clostridium perfringens food poisoning were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reversed passive latex agglutination (RPLA), and Vero cell assays for the presence of enterotoxin. Although the most time consuming method, ELISA was the most specific and reproducible. RPLA was slightly more sensitive than ELISA, but it showed some non-specific reactions. The Vero cell assay was the least sensitive and least reproducible method, being affected by some non-specific cytotoxic and cytotonic reactions. Normal rabbit serum should be included in the Vero cell assay as a control for the neutralisation of cytotoxic effects.

Scombrotoxic fish poisoning in Britain: features of over 250 suspected incidents from 1976 to 1986.

Between 1976 and 1986, 258 incidents of suspected scombrotoxic fish poisoning were reported in Britain. Histamine analysis was carried out on 240 fish samples from these incidents, and 101 were found to contain greater than 5 mg histamine/100 g fish. The symptoms most consistently reported were rash, diarrhoea, flushing and headache. In recent years there has been a decrease in the number of confirmed scombrotoxic outbreaks and a trend towards more sporadic incidents. Of fish samples with greater than 20 mg histamine/100 g, 94% were from incidents in which scombrotoxic symptoms were characteristic, but where fish had 5-20 mg/100 g only 38% of incidents were clinically distinctive. Guidelines are presented based on the interpretation of quantitative histamine analysis of fish samples from scombrotoxic poisoning incidents.

Percentage of anaesthetic fee refunded to patients by schedule-using private medical insurers in New Zealand.

Refunds for anaesthetic services payable to patients by schedule-using private medical insurers or agencies have not been realistically adjusted for inflation or growth in incomes. Patients receive a lower actual refund than that usually implied by the insurers. If private anaesthetic fees had increased in line with award weekly wages, the average refund to patients would have been approximately 50% for most of the period 1968-1981.

Cerebral occlusion. Extracranial-intracranial anastomosis.

Between 1967 and 1982, EC-IC anastomoses were performed on 143 patients with obstructive cerebrovascular lesions at our hospital. Bypasses were patent in 93% of these patients, which was verified by Doppler examination or by both Doppler exam and angiography. Half as many patients with a patent bypass experienced further cerebrovascular events, compared to the expected number if the problem was left untreated. Recovery from mild neurological deficits or completed stroke was observed in 23 patients. As clinical experience increases, it becomes clear that EC-IC anastomoses are an important and effective treatment for patients suffering from obstructive cerebrovascular disease.

Venepuncture nerve injuries.

6 patients seen in a blood-transfusion centre had painful peripheral-nerve injuries after venepuncture in the antecubital fossa. The nerves injured were the median nerve and the medial and lateral cutaneous nerves of the forearm in the antecubital fossa. The frequency of this injury was approximately 1/25 000 venepunctures. 3 patients were treated with carbamazepine, which relieved their pain. Although all patients recovered, early recognition of this complication of venepuncture is important, since successful treatment may obviate prolonged disabling symptoms and future litigation.

Neurological complications of haemophilia.

Peripheral nerve lesions are well recognised complications of the haemophilias but impairment of autonomic function has not previously been reported. Two patients of the severe older haemophiliac population in the area were found to have impotence in association with signs of peripheral nerve damage. The basis proposed for this is autonomic nerve injury associated with intramuscular haemorrhage.