Theileria orientalis Buffeli pathotype in cows in a theileriosis-endemic region of India.

Oriental theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis is a growing health concern of lactating cows in its endemic areas. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic tests are demand areas for appropriate and effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the answer for both detection and quantification of parasites. Present study deals with qPCR for detection of parasitemia level of T. orientalis in apparently healthy and clinically affected cows. Major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene present in T. orientalis was cloned in pUC57 vector and transformed into E. coli Top 10 cells. Single and mixed infections of hemoprotozoa other than T. orientalis, causing anemia were differentiated through blood smear examination and PCR tests. T. orientalis was detected in 108 (63.15%) ill and 48 (26.66%) healthy cows. Piroplasms detected per 1000 red blood cells (RBCs) was 0-1 in the healthy group as compared to 3-22 in those showing clinical signs. Parasitemia in ill cows ranged between 6.9 × 102 and 4.5 × 103 parasites / µl of blood which was significantly higher (p<0.05) than healthy group (2.6 × 102 - 5.7 × 102 parasites / µl of blood). Phylogenetic study of the isolates showed similarity with Buffeli type that unfolded its pathogenic form in apparently healthy and ill cows.

Toxico-kinetics, recovery, and metabolism of napropamide in goats following a single high-dose oral administration.

Toxicokinetic behavior, recovery and metabolism of napropamide (a pre-emergent herbicide) and its effect on Cytochrome P(450) of liver microsomal pellet were studied following a single high-dose oral administration of 2.5 g kg(-1) and continuous (7 days) oral administration of 500 mg kg(-1) in black Bengal goat. Napropamide was detected in blood at 15 min and the maximum quantity was recovered at 3 h after administration. The absorption rate constant (Ka) value was low indicating poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. High elimination half-life (t(1/2) beta) and low body clearance (Cl(B)) values coupled with higher transfer of compound from tissue to central compartment (K(21)) suggest that napropamide persisted in the blood for a long time, i.e., after 72 h of oral administration. The recovery percentage of napropamide, including metabolites, from goats varied from 75.94 to 80.08 and excretion of the parent compound through feces varied from 18.86 to 21.59%, indicating that a major portion of the orally administered napropamide was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of goat. Napropamide significantly increased the Cytochrome P(450) content of liver microsomal pellet. The recovery of metabolites from feces, urine, and tissues ranged from 4.2--6.2, 40.81--49.42, and 2.7--11.6%, respectively, during a 4--7 day period. The material balance of napropamide (including metabolites) following a single high-dose oral administration at 2.5 g kg(-1) during 4--7 days after dosing was found to be in the range of 75--80%.

Familial syndromic duodenal atresia: Feingold syndrome.

Familial duodenal atresia occurs as part of Feingold syndrome. Other features of this variable autosomal dominant condition include tracheo-oesophageal fistula and oesophageal atresia, microcephaly, hand and foot anomalies, facial dysmorphism, and developmental delay. We report a father and two sons with Feingold syndrome. One has bilateral dysplastic kidneys which have not been reported previously.

BCG, tuberculin skin-test results and asthma prevalence in school children in North London.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether there is any relationship between asthma prevalence and BCG immunization or tuberculin skin text reaction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Secondary school in Haringey, North London, U.K. SUBJECTS: 780 children aged 11-18 years (median 13.35 years). INTERVENTIONS: Administration of tuberculin skin text and questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis of asthma, presence of nocturnal cough, exercise-induced wheeze or wheeze with viral respiratory infections; diameter of induration with tuberculin skin text; history of BCG immunization. RESULTS: 57 of 629 children (8.5%) had a significantly positive Mantoux reaction (>or=15 millimeters of induration). Children with and without a history of BCG immunization did not differ significantly in prevalence of asthma diagnosis (11.8% vs 14.1%, p > 0.6), exercise-induced wheeze (16.9% vs 21.2%, p>0.4), viral induced wheeze (15.4% vs 7%, p>0.6) or nocturnal cough (32.3% vs 32.7%, p> 0.6). We also found no significant correlation of the prevalence of asthma diagnosis or symptoms with diameter of Mantoux test reaction. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence of an effect of BCG immunization or tuberculin reactivity on the incidence of asthma in secondary school children in Haringey, North London and the exposure to tuberculosis is high in these children.

Acute nicotine poisoning associated with a traditional remedy for eczema.

We present a case of severe acute nicotine poisoning in an 8 year old boy with moderate eczema after topical application of a traditional remedy from a book published in Bangladesh. Symptoms consistent with nicotine poisoning developed within 30 minutes of application of the remedy. The child subsequently improved with supportive care and was discharged after five days with no neurological sequelae. Diagnosis of nicotine poisoning was not initially made due to difficulty in obtaining an accurate history via an interpreter from the parents who did not speak English. Samples taken 12 hours after application of the remedy showed a serum nicotine of 89 microgram/l, serum cotinine of 1430 microgram/l, urine nicotine of 1120 microgram/l, and a urine cotinine of 6960 microgram/l confirming acute nicotine poisoning.