Survey of Toxoplasma gondii Exposure in Muskrats in a Relatively Pristine Ecosystem.

Waterborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii is assumed to be enhanced in areas with human-altered landscapes (e.g., urbanization, agriculture) and increased populations of non-native domestic and feral cats (Felis catus). However, little is known concerning T. gondii exposure risks in more natural watersheds (e.g., reduced human footprint, no domestic or feral cats) to establish a baseline for comparisons. In this study, muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) were used as sentinels to assess baseline T. gondii exposure in a relatively pristine watershed in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem, northern Minnesota, during the summers of 2018-2019. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were assayed in sera of live-trapped muskrats (n = 70) using a modified agglutination test. None of our samples were positive for T. gondii antibodies (P = 0.00, 95% Wald Score Confidence Interval = 0.00-0.05). This study establishes a baseline to compare T. gondii waterborne transmission risks in other human-modified watersheds.

[Therapeutic monitoring of drug concentration in blood. Are the analyses correctly ordered?]. / Terapeutisk monitorering af laegemiddelkoncentration i serum. Rekvireres analyserne rigtigt?

In order to use therapeutic drug monitoring, it is important that a therapeutic range is established, and that doctors are familiar with the conditions necessary for this. Information and timing of 175 drug requests (digoxin, lithium, theophylline, valproic acid and carbamazepine) from the out-patients of the Department of Clinical Chemistry were studied by means of a questionnaire. The relationship between the last dose and blood sampling time showed great variation between the various drugs. 37% of the patients had received no information from their doctor concerning the correct time of the last dose of the relevant drug before sampling. The results showed the importance of thorough information to the patients by their doctors about the time of the last dose prior to sampling.

[C-reactive protein in patients with infection]. / C-reaktivt protein hos patienter med infektion.

Increase of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) may be detected 6-12 hours after infliction of tissue damage, e.g. by infection. The ability to demonstrate a CRP response seems to be universal, and immunocompromised patients have been found to respond adequately during infectious episodes. Among patients suspected of an infectious disease CRP levels up to 100 mg/l are compatible with all types of infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal). It is of note that the CRP response may be delayed for more than 12 hours even in cases with severe acute infections, and peak concentrations are often reached three days after appearance of symptoms. CRP is most reliably used for exclusion of bacterial infection: two values less than 10 mg/l and 8-12 hours apart can be taken to exclude bacterial infection.