An imported case of canine rabies in Aquitaine: Investigation and management of the contacts at risk, August 2004-March 2005.

In August 2004, a case of rabies was diagnosed in a puppy that had been illegally imported from Morocco to Bordeaux (France). Because a great number of people and animals were thought to have come into contact with the puppy, extensive tracing measures were implemented, and an international alert was launched to trace and treat the contacts at risk. One hundred and eighty seven people received post-exposure treatment, eight of whom also received serovaccination, and 57 animals known to have been exposed to the puppy were tested. Six months after the death of the rabid animal, none of the people treated showed any signs of rabies, nor was any secondary animal case reported. The management of this crisis highlights the importance of the role of a rapid alert system at European level. Strict application of sanitary control regulations is essential for animals introduced into EU countries, and all necessary information must be made available to EU residents travelling to rabies enzootic areas.

An imported case of canine rabies in Aquitaine: investigation and management of the contacts at risk, August 2004-March 2005.

In August 2004, a case of rabies was diagnosed in a puppy that had been illegally imported from Morocco to Bordeaux (France). Because a great number of people and animals were thought to have come into contact with the puppy, extensive tracing measures were implemented, and an international alert was launched to trace and treat the contacts at risk. One hundred and eighty seven people received post-exposure treatment, eight of whom also received serovaccination, and 57 animals known to have been exposed to the puppy were tested. Six months after the death of the rabid animal, none of the people treated showed any signs of rabies, nor was any secondary animal case reported. The management of this crisis highlights the importance of the role of a rapid alert system at European level. Strict application of sanitary control regulations is essential for animals introduced into EU countries, and all necessary information must be made available to EU residents travelling to rabies enzootic areas.

[Thyroid surgery: traps and preventing complications]. / Schilddrüsenchirurgie: Fallen und Auswege.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of all thyroid operations performed at the ENT department in St. Gallen, Switzerland, between 1995 and 1997. The complications and technique of this surgery are outlined. In 79 patients 111 thyroid lobe resections were performed. No injury occurred to the superior laryngeal nerve. One recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and one permanent hypocalcaemia were observed. No revision operations were required for haematoma or infection. The different steps in the operative procedure, such as skin incision, handling of the strap muscles and identification of the parathyroid gland and superior laryngeal nerve, as well as the monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, are discussed.

[Retrospective analysis of consecutively treated distal radius fractures with the external fixator]. / Retrospektive Analyse konsekutiv behandelter distaler Radiusfrakturen mit Fixateur externe.

The purpose of this study was to determine retrospectively some subjective and objective parameters following the operative treatment of 32 patients with "complex" (intraarticular and/or comminuted) fractures of the distal radius using the small AO external fixation device. The mean follow-up period was 20 months (minimum 4, maximum 48) and the mean age of the subjects was 62 years (minimum 27, maximum 91). Subjective results such as "general feeling", mobility, strength and pain, expressed with a scoring system (% of maximum obtainable points), showed an overall good result and ranged between 71% (pain), 81% (strength) and 91% (mobility and "general feeling"). Regarding the objective results, no major skin or soft tissue distress (Sudeck dystrophy) was noted. However, there was a general tendency towards a mobility deficit of the wrist operated on, which was statistically significant (P < 0.01) for flexion, extension, supination and abduction (respectively, -17.7%, -12.4%, -7.1% and -12.5%). The late standard radiological and lateral controls showed a mean radial angle of +2.13 degrees (B or lateral radial angle) and +23.13 degrees (A or AP angle), respectively. The analysis of data, as expressed by time after operation (< or > than 10 months), showed no relevant difference between the two groups (age of both similar), as expressed by age (< or > than 60 years); the data only showed differences in strength and pain (scores by 92% vs 82% for force and 92% vs 76% for pain) and in flexion and extension (-22.8% and -14%, P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Indications and effects of the SMAS in parotid surgery]. / Indikation und Wirkung des SMAS-Lappens in der Parotischirurgie.

The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is of increasing interest in parotid surgery as a means of reducing the incidence of postoperative gustatory sweating (Frey's syndrome) and improving cosmetic results. Between 1996 and 1998 the SMAS was dissected as a separate plane in 25 patients undergoing parotid surgery for a benign tumour or recurrent infection. After a minimal follow-up of 12 months, all patients were investigated for gustatory sweating and cosmetic appearance. All underwent the starch minor test to document the extent and intensity of postoperative sweating. In a previous publication we found a 43% incidence of Frey's syndrome after parotid surgery without SMAS dissection and starch minor tests were positive in all 23 patients. However, analysis of the current results in patients with SMAS dissection revealed an incidence of Frey's syndrome of only 20%, the results of starch minor tests being positive in 76% with a statistically highly significant (p = 0.006) decrease in extent and intensity. Cosmetic appearance was improved by reduction of the retromandibular depression. Dissection of the SMAS in parotid surgery is indicated in tumours not extending to the parotid capsula. It not only reduces the incidence of Frey's syndrome, but also improves the cosmetic result.

[Frequency of enteropathogenic K99+ ST+ Escherichia coli and rotaviruses in neonatal diarrhea of calves. Survey of a veterinarian's clientele in Sarthe]. / Fréquence de Escherichia coli entéropathogène K99+ ST+ et du rotavirus dans les diarrhées néonatales des veaux. Enquête dans une clientèle vétérinaire de la Sarthe.

A clinical and microbiological study was carried out on 21 diarrhoeic calves less than 20 days old, belonging to 20 different farms in the French department of Sarthe. Each diarrhoeic calf was compared with a clinically healthy calf of the same age, from the same farm. Two visits were made : one during the acute phase of diarrhoea, the other 10 to 15 days later. Of the 21 diarrhoeic calves, nine died. On the first visit, rotavirus was found in faeces of 11 diarrhoeic calves and E. coli K99+ ST+ in faeces of three diarrhoeic calves, in two cases together with rotavirus. At the same time, rotavirus was found in the faeces of five control calves whereas E. coli K99+ ST+ was not present. On the second visit, rotavirus was detected in the faeces of one of the 12 surviving diarrhoeic calves and in the faeces of two control calves. No E. coli K99+ and ST+ was found in any of the two groups. Short duration antibiotic treatment (sulfonamide + colistin) carried out on the first visit did not result in increased resistance of E. coli to the ten antibiotics tested. On the contrary, cases of resistance to certain of these antibiotics were more frequent during the acute phase of illness (and before any treatment) than 10 to 15 days later. This fact was explained by the presence, in at least five cases, of multiresistant E. coli strains which disappeared with recovery.