Pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone and some biochemical attributes concentrations in the fetal fluids and serum and its relationship with fetal and placental characteristics of Iraqi riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

This study was carried out to demonstrate the pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone and some biochemical parameters concentrations in amniotic fluid, allantoic fluid and fetal serum collected from slaughtered Iraqi riverine pregnant buffaloes at three different months of gestation (6th, 7th and 8th). Ten out of 22 adult buffaloes of 4.6 ± 0.97 years old were used in this study. The buffaloes were mated naturally by monitoring the estrus cycles via appearance of vaginal fluids and mounting by bulls. Pregnancy was checked for these buffaloes by non-returning to estrus for three estrus cycles and assured by rectal palpation on day 61 post-mating (PM). Buffaloes were slaughtered at three different periods of gestation (three at 6th month, four at 7th month and three at 8th month of gestation) to verify the progesterone and PSPB as well as some blood attributes levels (glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulins and albumin: globulins ratio) in amniotic fluid (AF), allantoic fluid (LF) and fetal serum (FS). Progesterone was higher (P<0.01) in LF at the 8th month of gestation and lower in FS during the 7th and 8th months of pregnancy. PSPB concentrations were greater in FS (6th and 8th months in particular) than in both AF and LF. The overall mean of cholesterol concentration was higher in FS (P<0.05) followed by AF and LF that had the lowest concentration. The FS exhibited higher total protein during the three gestation periods. Most of fetal and placental measurements increased as the pregnancy advanced. In conclusion, these results described, for the first time, the PSPB and progesterone concentrations and blood characteristics in fetal fluids and serum in water riverine buffaloes during different stages of pregnancy. Progesterone concentrations were greater in allantoic fluid than in other fluids. In contrast, PSPB and other blood attributes were higher in fetal serum than other fluids of Iraqi riverine buffaloes. These findings reflect the changes in hormones, proteins and other metabolites during different gestation periods.

Early pregnancy detection of Iraqi riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using the BioPRYN enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for PSPB and the progesterone assay.

This study was undertaken to detect pregnancy in Iraqi riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using three different methods (rectal palpation, plasma progesterone concentration and detection of the presence of pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) with the BioPRYN(®) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. The aim of the study was to identify the most sensitive, early and accurate method for detecting pregnancy. Twenty-two female riverine buffalo that were 6.0 ± 0.93 years old were used. Four blood samples per buffalo were taken via jugular venipuncture at days 22-24, 32-34, 42-44 and 58-61 post-mating (PM) to measure the progesterone concentration (ng/ml) and to detect the presence of plasma PSPB. The rectal palpation method was employed to evaluate all buffalo on days 42-44 and 58-61 PM. The BioPRYN(®) test differed (p<0.01) from the other tests with earlier accuracy for detecting pregnant and non-pregnant buffalo. Eighty-eight percent of pregnant and 76.9% of non-pregnant buffalo were distinguished early (days 22-24 PM) using BioPRYN(®) and plasma PSPB-ELISA level (2.09 ± 0.12 ng/ml) in relation to 66.7% and 53.9% detected using the progesterone assay at similar days (4.30 ± 0.40 ng/ml). In conclusion, these results described, for the first time, the early and accurate pregnancy detection of water riverine buffalo using BioPRYN(®) technology and provided the plasma levels of PSPB using an ELISA test. These findings will improve the reproductive and productive efficiency of Iraqi riverine buffalo by adapting the recent management and reproductive strategies in Iraq and in the world.

Nosocomial Legionella micdadei pneumonia: 10 years experience and a case-control study.

Sixteen patients with nosocomial Legionella micdadei pneumonia, diagnosed between 1977 and 1988, were studied retrospectively to define clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the disease. Also, a case-control study was performed comparing the five patients with L. micdadei pneumonia during a cluster of cases in 1982, with uninfected patients with the same underlying diagnoses. No significant differences were noted in the case-control study with regard to age, presence of leucopenia, intensity or duration of immunosuppressive therapy, bed location, duration of hospital stay, frequency of transplant rejection or overall mortality. Legionella micdadei isolates from a sink on the renal transport ward, from hot water storage tanks, and one clinical isolate had identical cellular fatty acid composition. Extensive sampling of other potential sources failed to yield the organism. This indirect evidence suggests potable water as the source of infection.

Endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a rare cause of infection in humans. It has been mainly reported in cases of endocarditis and destructive periodontal disease. This report describes the case of a 51-year-old female who had an acute onset of anterior iridocyclitis, followed by the appearance of a white nodule on the lens and subsequent involvement of the vitreous. The course of the disease was long and insidious. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was isolated from 3 of 26 blood cultures drawn over a period of 40 days, and also from the vitreous. The patient had been suffering from periodontal disease for 3 months prior to her admission. Only two cases of endophthalmitis presumably caused by this organism have previously been reported, but the organism has never been recovered from the eye. This report presents the first case of culture-proven Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans endophthalmitis following destructive periodontal disease.

Association of slime with pathogenicity of coagulase-negative staphylococci causing nosocomial septicemia.

To assess the role of slime in the pathogenesis of nosocomial bloodstream infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, we compared the characteristics of 27 nosocomial bloodstream isolates with those of 27 skin isolates from non-hospital personnel. Of 27 bloodstream isolates, 14 were judged to be significant by a clinical index, and 13 were contaminants. Slime production was observed in 13 of 14 significant isolates but in only 3 of 13 contaminants (P = 0.0003) and 4 of 27 skin isolates (P = 0.0001). The 14 pathogens were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. Only 7 of 13 contaminants and 9 of 27 skin isolates belonged to the same species (P less than 0.006). Slime-producing strains of S. epidermidis represented 13 of 14 pathogens but only 2 of 13 contaminants (P less than 0.0003). Neither adherence to Teflon catheters nor phagocytosis and killing of coagulase-negative staphylococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes was significantly influenced by slime production. Nevertheless, the identity of the organism and the slime production test predicted the clinical significance of blood isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci with an overall accuracy of 89%.

Effects of selenium, vitamins, and ration fiber on placental retention and performance of dairy cattle.

One hundred and twenty Holstein cows were assigned to a randomized complete block design to determine effects of selenium, vitamins, and ration fiber on incidence of placental retention and other health and reproductive problems. The selenium treatment (50 mg selenium, 680 IU vitamin E) was administered as a single injection approximately 3 to 4 wk prepartum. The vitamin treatment (3 million IU vitamin A, 450,000 IU vitamin D3, 300 IU vitamin E) consisted of two injections, one administered at 3 to 4 wk prepartum and another at 2 to 3 wk postpartum. Fiber treatments were: control, 15.7% crude fiber; beet pulp, 19.3% crude fiber; and soyhull, 19.0% crude fiber. Feeding of experimental rations was begun 1 day postpartum, and the ration effect on placental retention was examined only at subsequent parturition. The overall placental retention rate of 28% was not affected by either selenium, vitamin, or combined treatments. Ration treatments did not affect the placental retention rate of 42% at subsequent parturition. Cows receiving the soyhull ration required fewer services per conception. Incidence of foot problems tended to be higher in the cows that received the combined selenium and vitamin A, D, E treatments. Supplemental selenium, vitamins A, D, and E, and ration fiber treatments did not reduce incidence of placental retention or improve most other health and reproductive measures.

Deep venous thrombosis after total hip arthroplasty: a prospective controlled study to determine the prophylactic effect of graded pressure stockings.

Graded pressure stockings significantly reduced the incidence of venographically determined deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after total hip arthroplasty. Seventy-six patients were studied; the incidence of DVT was 54 per cent in 41 control patients and 20 per cent in 35 patients who wore stockings. Administration of blood during the operation and in the first 24 h after operation, if given in excess of blood loss, was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing DVT. The application of graded pressure stockings and the avoidance of unnecessary perioperative blood transfusion are worth while in the management of total hip arthroplasty.