A rural worker infected with a bovine-prevalent genotype of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus supports zoonotic transmission and inconsistency of MLST and whole-genome typing.

Whole-genome characterisation in clinical microbiology enables to detect trends in infection dynamics and disease transmission. Here, we report a case of bacteraemia due to Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus in a rural worker under cancer treatment that was diagnosed with cellulitis; the patient was treated with antibiotics and recovered. The routine typing methods were not able to identify the microorganism causing the infection, so it was further analysed by molecular methods and whole-genome sequencing. The multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) revealed the presence of the bovine-associated ST-4 genotype. Whole-genome comparisons with other C. fetus strains revealed an inconsistent phylogenetic position based on the core genome, discordant with previous ST-4 strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first C. fetus subsp. fetus carrying the ST-4 isolated from humans and represents a probable case of zoonotic transmission from cattle.

Chemotherapeutic approaches to protozoa: Coccidiae--current level of knowledge and outlook.

Progress in the treatment and prophylaxis of cyst-forming coccidial infections (Neospora, Sarcocystis Toxoplasma) and Cryptosporidium infections has been limited (Table 1: Haberkorn 1996: Croft 1997: Wang 1997). However, new possibilities have been opened up in the treatment of Eimeria-induced coccidiosis in poultry and mammals. due to improvements in treatment and, or metaphylaxis. A new polyether antibiotic. semduramycin, has recently been added to the range of effective prophylactic preparations. The development of resistance to anticoccidial agents is now posing similar problems to those encountered with malaria, coccidiosis in poultry being particularly affected. Because no new active ingredient from a new family of chemical substances has been developed for more than 10 years, the following approaches are being adopted to get round this problem: the use of older preparations which have not been used for a long time, the introduction of combinations such as narasin nicarbazin or methyl benzoquate clopidol and the alternating use of anticoccidial agents in rotation and shuttle programmes. The goal of a real alternative, i.e. vaccination, has been achieved to a certain extent in the form of live vaccines for laying hens and broiler breeders and is being practiced in some countries.

Altered regulation of potassium and calcium channels by GABA(B) and adenosine receptors in hippocampal neurons from mice lacking Galpha(o).

To examine the role of G(o) in modulation of ion channels by neurotransmitter receptors, we characterized modulation of ionic currents in hippocampal CA3 neurons from mice lacking both isoforms of Galpha(o). In CA3 neurons from Galpha(o)(-/-) mice, 2-chloro-adenosine and the GABA(B)-receptor agonist baclofen activated inwardly rectifying K(+) currents and inhibited voltage-dependent Ca(2+) currents just as effectively as in Galpha(o)(+/+) littermates. However, the kinetics of transmitter action were dramatically altered in Galpha(o)(-/-) mice in that recovery on washout of agonist was much slower. For example, recovery from 2-chloro-adenosine inhibition of calcium current was more than fourfold slower in neurons from Galpha(o)(-/-) mice [time constant of 12.0 +/- 0.8 (SE) s] than in neurons from Galpha(o)(+/+) mice (time constant of 2.6 +/- 0.2 s). Recovery from baclofen effects was affected similarly. In neurons from control mice, effects of both baclofen and 2-chloro-adenosine on Ca(2+) currents and K(+) currents were abolished by brief exposure to external N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM). In neurons lacking Galpha(o), some inhibition of Ca(2+) currents by baclofen remained after NEM treatment, whereas baclofen activation of K(+) currents and both effects of 2-chloro-adenosine were abolished. These results show that modulation of Ca(2+) and K(+) currents by G protein-coupled receptors in hippocampal neurons does not have an absolute requirement for Galpha(o). However, modulation is changed in the absence of Galpha(o) in having much slower recovery kinetics. A likely possibility is that the very abundant Galpha(o) is normally used but, when absent, can readily be replaced by G proteins with different properties.

Eimeria tenella: localisation of rhoptry antigens during parasite-host cell interactions by a rhoptry-specific monoclonal antibody in PCKC culture.

A rhoptry-specific monoclonal antibody (mab) A4C6 was obtained by fusion of X63-Ag 8.653 plasmacytoma cells with splenocytes of BALB/c mice. Mab A4C6 reacted with three protein bands at about 94, 66 and 45 kDa under non-reducing conditions. Gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions separated these protein complexes into several protein fragments ranging between 20 and 200 kDa. Antigens recognised by mab A4C6 were concentrated in the rhoptry sacs located in the apical region of sporozoites as shown by immunoelectron microscopy. During parasite-host cell interaction and development in PCKC culture, mab A4C6 located rhoptry antigens in the parasitophorous vacuole space between intracellular sporozoites and the vacuole membrane.

Mastoparan activation of dopamine-modulated K+ channels on rat striatal neurons.

Coupling mechanisms between a D2-like dopamine receptor and an 85 pS K+ channel on freshly dissociated rat caudate-putamen neurons were studied using cell-attached patch-clamp electrophysiology. Channel currents were observed in the absence of dopamine receptor agonists when mastoparan, an activator of certain guanyl nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins), was applied via the patch pipette. Channel current-voltage relationships and open probabilities observed with mastoparan were indistinguishable from those obtained with dopaminergic agonists. Alamethicin, which mimics the membrane-perturbing but not the G-protein activating properties of mastoparan, did not activate the channel, suggesting that non-specific effects of mastoparan were unlikely to account for this effect. Our results indicate that coupling between the D2 dopamine receptor and this K+ channel may involve a mastoparan-sensitive G-protein.

Multiple sulfonylurea-sensitive potassium channels: a novel subtype modulated by dopamine.

In single channel patch-clamp recordings from freshly dissociated rat corpus striatum (caudate-putamen) neurons, the sulfonylurea drugs tolbutamide and glibenclamide caused a concentration-dependent blockade of a K+ channel that is activated by D2 dopamine receptor agonists. Tolbutamide was about 10-100 times more potent than glibenclamide, a rank-order potency opposite to that seen at previously described adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels. The channel also was poorly activated by diazoxide, which is a known opener of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels. However, like adenosine triphosphate-sensitive channels, it opened in the absence of dopaminergic agonist when the cells were treated with the metabolic inhibitor rotenone, indicating that channel openings occur under energy-depleting conditions. This suggests the existence of a novel, pharmacologically distinct class of sulfonyl-urea-sensitive K+ channels, regulated metabolically and also mediating dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Common issues for parents in a methadone maintenance group.

Change has been noted in some of the group members. For example, one long-term group member who never spoke when she was in a previous group that focused on addiction-related problems has become the role model for other members. In this group, she says, she feels more competent. She is appropriately outspoken and has established relationships with her children which consistently underpin the parent-child boundaries that need to be drawn. One specific issue she resolved involved her 19-year-old son and his girlfriend who was pregnant with the group member's grandchild. By role playing the different positions that each of these people held in the home (the group member was paying the rent and had the right to set the rules, the girlfriend was feeling unaccepted by the group member and was acting out inappropriately, and the son was caught between trying to please the two females), the group member was able to clarify for herself how to approach future conflicts. A second member has improved her relationship with her youngest son (age 3) but still struggles with her 15-year-old daughter. What has been most effective for her was teaching her to count to 10 before responding to what she considers the goading of both of her children. In addition, she was feeling pressured by her mother, in whose house she lives, to have her son toilet trained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)