Epidemiology of protozoan and helminthic parasites in wild passerine birds of Britain and Ireland.

Avian endoparasites play important roles in conservation, biodiversity and host evolution. Currently, little is known about the epidemiology of intestinal helminths and protozoans infecting wild birds of Britain and Ireland. This study aimed to determine the rates of parasite prevalence, abundance and infection intensity in wild passerines. Fecal samples (n = 755) from 18 bird families were collected from 13 sites across England, Wales and Ireland from March 2020 to June 2021. A conventional sodium nitrate flotation method allowed morphological identification and abundance estimation of eggs/oocysts. Associations with host family and age were examined alongside spatiotemporal and ecological factors using Bayesian phylogenetically controlled models. Parasites were detected in 20.0% of samples, with corvids and finches having the highest prevalences and intensities, respectively. Syngamus (33%) and Isospora (32%) were the most prevalent genera observed. Parasite prevalence and abundance differed amongst avian families and seasons, while infection intensity varied between families and regions. Prevalence was affected by diet diversity, while abundance differed by host age and habitat diversity. Infection intensity was higher in birds using a wider range of habitats, and doubled in areas with feeders present. The elucidation of these patterns will increase the understanding of parasite fauna in British and Irish birds.

Productivity: small changes can lead to large gains.

Productivity often hinges on workers' ability to perform their jobs without worrying about injury. An internal assessment can help companies determine the reason for injuries that slow employees, stall processes, and result in escalating medical and indemnity costs. Implementing recommended changes and training employees to encourage their acceptance and use of new equipment can go a long way in reducing injuries and related costs and boosting productivity.

Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin in adult patients: a consensus review of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society Of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

The Review is a welcome and up-to-date consensus statement on the use of vancomycin. Although many of the points are pertinent to Australasian practice, the clinical context may be subtly different such that different recommendations apply here. It is thus an apt time for clinical, biochemical, pharmacological and pathology staff in Australasia to collaborate and discuss the literature with particular relevance to establishing guidelines for an Australasian context. The new TG (Version 14) will be an interesting update in the antibiotic TDM area and we hope it will be used as a springboard for Australasian clinical research into this area.

Shadow Bowl 2003: a collaborative exercise in community readiness, agency cooperation, and medical response.

This paper describes a model for homeland security, community readiness, and medical response that was applied during an operational exercise around Super Bowl XXXVII. In addition, it describes the products provided by private companies involved in the exercise and how they would have contributed to a medical disaster had one occurred. The purpose of Shadow Bowl was to demonstrate community readiness and medical response to a mass casualty event. The goals of the project were to: (1) provide enhanced public safety using an advanced communication network and sensor grid; (2) develop mass casualty surge capabilities through medical reach-back; and (3) build a collaboration model between civilian, military, public, and private partners. The results of the Shadow Bowl Exercise accentuated the value of new telehealth and disaster medicine tools in treating large numbers of patients when infrastructure overload occurs.