Pathologic Changes Associated With Respiratory Compromise And Morbidity Due To Massive Interlamellar Henneguya Exilis Infection In Channel × Blue Hybrid Catfish.

There are multiple Henneguya spp. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) endemic to North American catfish aquaculture that affect the gills of channel catfish and their hybrids. These parasites are morphologically similar, and confusion exists regarding the predilection sites and pathologic changes associated with different species. In the spring of 2018, channel (Ictalurus punctatus) female × blue (Ictalurus furcatus) male hybrid catfish from 2 separate commercial operations in northwest Mississippi were submitted for diagnostic assessment in response to observed morbidity and reduced feeding activity. Fish presented with unusually heavy infections of Henneguya spp. plasmodia in the gills. The majority of gill filaments contained widespread, pinpoint, raised, white nodules corresponding microscopically to myxospore-filled plasmodia that obliterated interlamellar spaces. The bipolar myxospores were consistent with Henneguya spp. described from North American ictalurids, possessing slender fusiform spore bodies and elongate bifurcate caudal processes. Associated microscopic lesions included lamellar fusion, epithelial hyperplasia, infrequent, localized, granulomatous branchitis, and rare cartilage lysis, suggesting impaired gill function. Mature plasmodia were excised by laser capture microdissection from ethanol-fixed, hematoxylin and eosin-stained histologic sections for molecular analysis. Fragments (700 bp) of a highly variable region of the 18S rRNA gene, diagnostic for the Myxobolidae, were 100% similar at the nucleotide level to Henneguya exilis. Although mortality was negligible, fish in the affected ponds exhibited signs of respiratory distress similar to proliferative gill disease (PGD) caused by Henneguya ictaluri in channel and hybrid catfish. However, gross and microscopic lesions differed markedly from PGD, known colloquially as "hamburger gill disease." While H. exilis has been reported from channel catfish, it is not typically associated with morbidity and mortality and has not previously been reported from channel × blue catfish hybrids. This work characterizes lesions and confirms the etiology of gill disease induced by the myxozoan H. exilis. In addition to PGD and other non-parasitic conditions, massive interlamellar H. exilis infection should be a differential consideration in pond-raised channel and hybrid catfish experiencing signs of respiratory distress.

Reequilíbrio tóraco-abdominal em recém-nascidos prematuros: efeitos em parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios, no comportamento, na dor e no desconforto respiratório / Rebalancing thoracoabdominal movements in preterms infants: effects on cardiorespiratory parameters, in behavior, in pain and in the respiratory effort

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de manuseios do método fisioterapêutico de Reequilíbrio Tóraco-Abdominal (RTA) em parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios, em sinais clínicos de esforço respiratório, no comportamento e na dor de recém-nascidos (RN) prematuros com baixo peso internados em unidade de terapia intensiva. Método: Ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado com avaliador cego. Os RN foram caracterizados segundo: sexo, idade gestacional (IG), idade gestacional corrigida (IgC), peso, altura, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), tipo de parto, ventilação mecânica (VM), oxigenoterapia (O2) e Apgar. Através de sorteio foram divididos em dois grupos: G1 - grupo controle e G2 - grupo que recebeu RTA. Os RN foram avaliados antes e imediatamente após um dos procedimentos. Foram verificados os parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios de frequência respiratória (FR), frequência cardíaca (FC) e saturação periférica de oxigênio (SpO2), analisado o desconforto respiratório através do Boletim de silvermann-anderson (BSA), a dor através da Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) e o comportamento pela escala de Prechtl e Beinteman (EPB). O G1 permaneceu em repouso por 20 minutos e o G2 foi submetido a 20 minutos de intervenção, composta por 4 manuseios da técnica (apoio íleo-costal, apoio tóraco-abdominal, apoio abdominal inferior e apoio toraco-abdominal e abdominal inferior simultaneamente), cada um com 5 minutos de duração. Foram aplicados os testes qui-quadrado, teste de Wilcoxon e de Mann Whitney, para comparação intra e intergrupos, respectivamente. Adotou-se um nível de significância de 5% (p = 0,05). Resultados: Houve diminuição significativa da FR (54,08 ± 8,34rpm x 49,77 ± 2,82 rpm, p = 0,0277) e do BSA (0,62 ± 0,96 x 0,00 ± 0,60; p = 0,0431) nos RN submetidos ao RTA. Também verificou-se menor pontuação na escala EPB do G2 em comparação ao G1 (1,00 ± 0,00 x 1,54 ± 1,13, com p = 0,0492). As outras variáveis não diferiram entre os grupos. Conclusão: Os RN prematuros de baixo peso submetidos aos manuseios do método RTA apresentaram redução da FR e do desconforto respiratório. Não houve prejuízo alteração no comportamento dos neonatos com a aplicação da técnica.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of physical therapy method handlings Rebalancing thoracoabdominal movements (RTA) on cardiorespiratory parameters in clinical signs of respiratory effort, behavior and pain in the newborn (NB) premature infants with low birth weight infants in unit intensive care. Method: Controlled clinical trial, randomized and blinded. The infants were characterized according to sex, gestational age (GA), corrected gestational age (IgG), weight, height, body mass index (BMI), type of delivery, mechanical ventilation (MV), oxygen (O2) and Apgar score. By lottery were divided into two groups: G1 - the control group and G2 - the group that received RTA. The newborns were assessed before and immediately after the procedures. Cardiorespiratory parameters were tested for respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory distress analyzed by Silvermann-Anderson Bulletin (BSA), the pain through the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and the behavior of the scale Prechtl and Beinteman (EPB). The G1 remained at rest for 20 minutes and G2 underwent 20 minutes of intervention, consisting of four handlings of the technique (support ileo-costal, support thoraco-abdominal, lower abdominal support and support thoraco-abdominal and lower abdominal simultaneously), each one with 5 minutes? duration. We applied the chi-square test, Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney test for comparison within and between groups, respectively. We adopted a significance level of 5% (p = 0.005). Results: There was significant decrease in RF (54.08 ± 8.34 49.77 ± 2.82 rpm x rpm, p = 0.0277) and BSA (0.62 ± 0.96 vs. 0.00 ± 0.60, p = 0.0431) in newborns submitted to the RTA. Also it was verified lower scores on the EPB in G2 as compared to G1 (1.00 ± 0.00 x 1.54 ± 1.13, p = 0.0492). The other variables did not differ between groups. Conclusion: The low-weight premature newborns subjected to the method handlings RTA had reduced RF and respiratory distress. No damages were observed change in behavior of neonates with the method application.

Nitric oxide and respiratory helminthic diseases.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a very simple molecule that displays very important functions both in helminths (mainly those involved in respiratory pathology) and in mammalian hosts. In this paper we review four issues related to interaction of NO and lung helminthic diseases. Firstly, we evaluated data available on the NO synthesis and release by helminths and their biological role. Next, we summarized the effect of antigens obtained from different phases of the biological cycle on NO production by host mammalian cells (mainly from human sources). Thirdly, we revised the evaluation of NO on the biological activities and/or the viability of respiratory helminths. Lastly, the deleterious consequences of increased production of NO during helminthic human infection are detailed.

Attachment and penetration of Centrocestus armatus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) cercariae to gills of secondary intermediate fish hosts.

The attachment and penetration of Centrocestus armatus cercariae into the fish host Zacco temmincki are described in this study. Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine the topographical features and behavior of cercariae. Histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to trace glandular products and secretions released by cercariae during penetration. Cercariae are first carried into the fish gill chambers via the respiratory currents. The frequency of respiratory-current reversals of fish increased when infected with cercariae. The behavior of cercariae, during breaks in current flow that preceded each current reversal, was observed using a specially devised apparatus. Cercariae produce a mucus-like secretion upon attachment, shed their tail, and employ a brief period of leech-like creeping behavior before penetration. In all cases, the site of penetration was via the surface of the primary gill lamellae. SEM revealed a well-developed anterior penetration apparatus, and a highly contractile body region, that created a driving force for penetration. TEM and histochemistry showed that the mucus observed on the surface tegument of cercariae during attachment were glandular secretions from the parasite. The significance of fish respiratory current reversals to the success of cercariae penetration nicely illustrates the exploitation by the parasite of a host response to a stimulus.

Estimates of the burden of malaria morbidity in Africa in children under the age of 5 years.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct burden of malaria among children younger than 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the year 2000, as part of a wider initiative on burden estimates. METHODS: A systematic literature review was undertaken in June 2003. Severe malaria outcomes (cerebral malaria, severe malarial anaemia and respiratory distress) and non-severe malaria data were abstracted separately, together with information on the characteristics of each study and its population. Population characteristics were also collated at a national level. A meta-regression model was used to predict the incidence of malaria fevers at a national level. For severe outcomes, results were presented as median rates as data were too sparse for modelling. RESULTS: For the year 2000, an estimated 545,000 (uncertainty interval: 105,000-1,750,000) children under the age of 5 in SSA experienced an episode of severe malaria for which they were admitted to hospital. A total of 24,000 (interquartile range: 12,000-37,000) suffered from persistent neurological deficits as a result of cerebral malaria. The number of malaria fevers associated with high parasite density in under-5s in SSA in 2000 was estimated as 115,750,000 (uncertainty interval: 91,243,000-257,957,000). CONCLUSION: Our study predicts a lower burden than previous estimates of under-5 malaria morbidity in SSA. As there is a lack of suitable data to enable comprehensive estimates of annual malaria incidence, we describe the information needed to improve the validity of future estimates.

Interobserver variation in respiratory signs of severe malaria.

Respiratory abnormalities are common presentations of malaria and acute respiratory tract infection, both of which are major causes of childhood mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Appropriate management depends on accurate assessment of disease severity which for the majority of children must be based on clinical signs alone. Choosing which signs best serve this purpose remains a considerable problem particularly in malaria endemic areas. As part of a prospective study to define clinical signs indicative of life threatening malaria video recordings were used to examine the level of agreement between clinicians for potentially important respiratory signs in 51 children. Overall agreement was good for recession, severe recession, and nasal flaring (kappa = 0.57, 0.50, and 0.60 respectively) and substantial for deep breathing and the summary impression of respiratory distress (kappa = 0.70 and 0.69 respectively). However, within this substantial variation in interpretation was apparent between individual observers from slight to almost perfect agreement (kappa values 0.10-0.92). Video is a useful tool to demonstrate interobserver variation and it may also allow training in recognition of signs and a means of standardising clinical signs between centres.

Mortality of Rheas caused by a Synchamus trachea infection.

Over the last 3 years, chronic respiratory distress occurred occasionally in young birds on a farm with about one hundred Rheas americana. The sick Rheas died after 1 to 2 months. Post-mortem examination of a 7-week-old Rhea showed severe tracheitis. This tracheitis was caused by Synchamus trachea worms, which were present in large numbers. Therapy with fenbendazole cured the respiratory distress of the other Rheas within a few days.