Management and control of agri-chemical pesticides: any progress?

Issues related to agri-chemical pesticides usage and poisonings in South Africa have been well documented. Under-reporting of information required to determine the size of the problem complicates current surveillance and prevention programmes. The study aimed to determine: the procedure for reporting and follow-up of cases of agricultural pesticide poisonings; which factors contributed to the poisoning cases; and whether a biological monitoring programme was in place at the time of 110 reported cases of agri-chemical poisonings on farms in the Boland Health District between 1997 and 2000. A retrospective descriptive survey design involving a record review was applied. The study found that the cases were poorly reported. The follow up system at the local level between local government officials and the farmers was not efficient for the prevention of agrichemical poisonings. The contributory factors were insufficient information and training; the incorrect use of personal protective equipment; the lack of safety of the agri-chemical store; and the absence of a monitoring system on the majority of farms. This study demonstrated that the notification of agricultural chemical poisoning was applied in a fragmentary manner between the different governmental levels and departments

La función autocaptura en marcapasos VVIR: experiencia del estudio multicéntrico / Autocaptura function in a VVIR pacemaker: a multicentre clinical experience

La función de autocaptura verifica la captura latido a latido. La búsqueda automática del umbral de estimulación, ajusta el potencial de salida 0.3 V. por encima del valor medido. Ante la pérdida de captura de un estímulo, el sistema emite un segundo impulso de 4.5 V. a los 65 mseg. para conseguir captura, evitando con ello pausas del ritmo cardíaco. La función de Autocaptura nos oferece por elo una estimulación segura de bajo consumo. El sistema ha sido incorporado a un marcapasos VVIR de 12,8 gr. de peso y 5.9 cm3 de volumen, de estimulación unipolar y detección bipolar. Presentamos la experiencia de un estudio multicéntrico que incluye 113 pacientes, 57 hombres y 56 hombres y 56 mujeres. La edad media fue de 76 anos (45-93). La indicación ECG fue de fibrilación auricular con pobre respuesta ventricular en el 84 "por ciento" de los casos y de bloqueo A-V en el restante 16 "por cento". Se han revisado los protocolos de 112 controles de alta hospitalaria, 107 de 30 dias, 94 de 3 meses y 49 de 6 meses. En todos los casos se ha practicado un registro Holter de 24 horas al mes de la implantación. El valor medio de umbral de estimulación en el momento de la implatacióon fue de 0.6 V, a 1 mes de 1.3 V., a los 3 meses de 1.3 V. y a los 6 meses de 1.2 V. Los valores medios de onda R intrínseca / onda R evocada fueron en la implantación de 14.7/10.2 mV., al mes 16.8/10.0 mV., a los 3 meses 16.5/10.2 mV. y a los 6 meses 17.5/10.2 mV. Se ha calculado un consumo un consumo medio de 3.9 +ou- mA. con lo que la longevidad del generador resulta de entre 7 y 8 anos. El análisis latido a latido de 3.7 millones de estímulos de los registros Holter, nos confirma que cada pérdida de captura ha sido detectada y seguida de un estímulo de segurid efectivo. Conclusión: La función Autocaptura posee la habilidad de cambiar automaticament el potencial de salida en consonancia con el umbral de estimulación, y por ello nos permite ofrecer una terapia de estimulación segura y fiable con bajo consumo energético.

A clinicopathological study of granuloma inguinale in Barbados

The clinicopathological features of fifteen cases of granuloma inguinale diagnosed over a six-year period (1980-1985) are reported. The biopsy sites included cervix uteri, penis, vulva, perineum, anus, endometrium and vaginal wall, in decreassisng order of frequency. The incidence was roughly equal in both sexes with an age range of 16-78 years. In females, the msot frequent clinical diagnosis was carcinoma. The findings indicate that the clinical and histopatological diagnosis of granuloma inguinale entails a high degree of suspcion in a community where the disease in uncommon

Malayan filariasis in Central Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia.

Seven villages in Central Sulawesi were surveyed in September 1971 and finger blood samples from 3,658 persons examined for microfilariae. Periodic, nocturnal Brugia malayi was endemic in all seven villages with microfilarial rates (Mf-rate) of 10-42% (av. 25%). The median microfilarial density (MfD50) averaged 5.4 and varied from 0.8 to 9.4 microfilariae per 20 microliter of blood. Males had higher Mf-rate and MfD50 value than females and in males Mf-rates and MfD50 values increased with age. In the female population, however, neither Mf-rates or MfD50 values varied significantly with age. Clinical manifestations of filariasis were found in 12% of 2,412 persons examined and only 2% had elephantiasis. Clinical signs of disease with the exception of elephantiasis, showed good correlations with Mf-rates but not with MfD50 values. Transmigrants experienced clinical manifestations of filariasis earlier and more often than the indigenous population.

Filariasis in West Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia.

A survey was carried out among persons residing in 8 villages in the Province of West Kalimantan, Indonesia to determine the prevalence of filariasis. Finger tip blood smears were obtained at night from over 3,000 people and microfilariae of Brugia malayi were found in 108 (3.5%) and Wuchereria bancrofti in 10 (0.3%). Most B. malayi (96 carriers) was found in Kakap, a village near the coast, 20 km from the provincial capital of Pontianak. Nine of 10 cases of W. bancrofti were located in Pahauman, a village 130 km northeast of the provincial capital. Periodicity studies indicate the strain of B. malayi to be subperiodic. In Kakap 18% of 226 persons examined had a clinical history of filariasis and elephantiasis was seen in 13%. This is the first report of rural bancroftian filariasis in the area. A few Mansonia species of mosquitoes were examined but none were infected with filarial larvae.

Brugia malayi in seven villages in South Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Seven villages in South Kalimantan were visited in 1971 and night peripheral blood smears from 2,764 people examined for microfilariae. Brugia malayi was found endemic in all villages with microfilarial rates of 12--46% (average 25%) and the median microfilarial density (MfD50) of 6 to 15 microfilariae per 20 microliter of blood. The microfilariae showed a typical subperiodic pattern. The disease was more common in males than females and the prevalence increased with age. Clinical manifestations of filariasis were found in 20% of 1,099 persons examined. Mansonia species are considered important vectors and cats important reservoir hosts. In addition to B. malayi, Dirofilaria repens and an unknown microfilaria were found in cats in the area and strains of the B. malayi and D. repens have been established in the laboratory.

Parasitology survey in the Palu Valley, central Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia.

A survey was undertaken in the Palu Valley, Central Sulasesi to determine whether schisto somiasis japonica was endemic in the area and to determine the prevalences rates of intestinal and blood parasites. Seven villages along the Palu River drainage system with an estimated popualtion of 18,700 were surveyed and 2,433 stools, 3,651 blood smears and 1,167 sera were collected and examined.

Parasitology survey and seroepidemiology of amoebiasis in South Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia.

A parasitology surevy was conducted among inhabitants of 7 villages in 3 regencies in South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. A total of 2,169 stool specimens, 2,756 blood smears and 1,027 serum specimens were obtained, representing samples from approximately 10%, 12% and 5% of the population, respectively. One to 8 different intestinal parasitic infections were detected in 97% of the people. Those parasites most frequently found were Trichuris trichiura (83%), Ascaris lumbricoides (79%), and hookworm (65%), followed by Entamoeba coli (37%), Endolimaxnana (12%), Entamoeba histolytica (12%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (11%), Giardia lamblia (5%), Entamoeba hartmanni (2%), Chilomastix mesnili (2%). Other parasites found were Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Capillaria sp., Echinostoma sp., Hymenolepis diminuta, and Trichomonas hominis. Giardia lamblia was found more often in younger people and Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba bütschlii and hookworm in the older age group. Ascaris lumbricoides occurred more frequently in females, and hookworm in males. Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum were found in the blood smears of 4.4% of the people, mostly in the younger age groups. Seroepidemiological studies on amoebiasis were done by use of the indirect hemagglutination test with antigens prepared from the HK9 strain of Entamoeba histolytica maintained in axenic cultures. The frequency distribution of the reciprocal antibody titers showed a bimodal distribution with 34% of the population demonstrating positive reactions at titers of 1:128 or greater.