Lead and lead toxicity in domestic and free living birds.

At present, domestic and wild fauna are being exposed to aspects and factors which are foreign to the habitat in which they live. One that stands out is the enormous amount and variety of chemical compounds which, in many cases, are highly complex and which are constantly being released into the atmosphere, mainly from agricultural and industrial activity. All these substances affect some species more than others, whether they be plants or animals, from the most insignificant micro-organism to the most evolved species, among them birds. Finally, another cause of mortality in many birds is plumbism, namely death caused by the ingestion of lead. Lead has been one of the main causes of poisoning in man since ancient times due to its use in many activities although it is only recently that this toxicity has been recognized. Moreover, the use of lead pellets for shooting has resulted in the release into the environment of millions of these over many years, with serious repercussions for many bird species populations, which have ingested them either directly or indirectly. Added to this use of lead in cynegetic activities is the fate of the lead weights (sinkers or ballast) used by rod fishers, which sink to the bottom or accumulate on the banks of rivers, lakes, lagoons or reservoirs. The problem arises when these pellets or weights are ingested by birds, mainly Anatidae, which mistake them for the small stones or grit they use to triturate food in their gizzards. Small particles of lead enter the digestive tract, start dissolving in the form of lead salts, are incorporated into the bloodstream and the rest of the body, accumulate in organs like the liver or kidneys, and cause physiological or behavioural changes. When certain concentrations of lead are reached, the birds then die. If lead-poisoned birds are consumed by carrions or predators, the latter also ingest the lead so that they may also be affected or die from plumbism since, being a heavy metal, its degradation and/or elimination is very difficult. There is, therefore, no doubt that millions of birds die annually worldwide from lead poisoning (in the U.S.A., around 3,000,000), this problem being most acute in marshland. The solutions could include the introduction of legislation regulating or banning shooting, in the use of non-toxic ammunition in marshes and protected areas, the substitution of lead pellets for other non-toxic ones, such as steel, bismuth, tungsten or other suitable metals, and to go on studying other possible alternatives to end such a dramatic situation for birds all over the world.

[Report of a case of purulent rhinitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a patient with HIV/AIDS]. / Reporte de 1 caso de rinitis purulenta por Streptococcus pneumoniae en un paciente VIH/SIDA.

This paper reports a case of acute purulent rhinitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in a HIV/AIDS patient seen at the Hospitalization Center of "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute. The clinical findings were fever, severe purulent rhinorrea and affected general condition. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated with standard and advanced diagnosis techniques. Antimicrobial sensitivity test revealed that it was sensitive to cefaloridien, ampicillin, penicillin G and oxacillin. The patient was treated with a dose of 2 g of ampicillin daily for 10 days. The clinical picture of the patient improved and there was a total remission of the symptoms.

[Training of epidemiology personnel in Cuba]. / Formación de personal en epidemiología en Cuba.

We describe the academic characteristics of the Master of Epidemiology Program taught at the Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", in La Habana, Cuba. We provide a description of the structure of the course along with its didactical principles, the main objectives of the different academic modules and the number and background of graduates from seven Classes. We also discuss potential work areas for graduates and short-term perspectives for their continuing education.

[CAMP factor for the differentiation among Aeromonas species]. / Factor CAMP para la diferenciación en especies de Aeromonas.

The CAMP factor technique, described by Natale Figura as a presumptive method for the differentiation of the species hydrophila, sobria and caviae, was applied to 80 Aeromonas strains isolated from children under 5 years with acute diarrheic disease. The typical phenomenon was seen in aerobiosis and anaerobiosis conditions in 10 strains, which were classified as Aeromonas hydrophila. In aerobiosis conditions/alone, it was observed in 20 strains, which were identified as Aeromonas sobria. It was not observed in either of the incubation conditions above mentioned in 50 of the remaining strains, which were identified as Aeromonas caviae. The advantages of applying this new technique is emphasized.

[Serologic study of the diagnosis of Chagas disease in Nicaraguan students in the Juventud island]. / Estudio serológico para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad de Chagas en estudiantes nicaragüenses de la Isla de la Juventud.

The results obtained during the serologic study for the diagnosis of Chagas' disease in 868 Nicaraguan students in the Isle of Youth are reported. Qualitative hemagglutination and indirect immunofluorescence were used. It was found that 8.5% of these students showed antibodies specific to Trypanosoma cruzi by means of this diagnostic test.