A novel neurotropic microsporidium from the swamp guppy Micropoecilia picta from Grenada, West Indies.

A novel microsporidium was observed in wild swamp guppies Micropoecilia picta from Levera Pond within Levera National Park Grenada, West Indies. Initial observations indicated similarity with Pseudoloma neurophilia, an important pathogen in zebrafish Danio rerio. P. neurophilia exhibit broad host specifity, including members of the family Poecillidae, and both parasites infect the central nervous system. However, spore morphology and molecular phylogeny based on rDNA showed that the swamp guppy microsporidium (SGM) is distinct from P. neurophilia and related microsporidia (Microsporidium cerebralis and M. luceopercae). Spores of the SGM were smaller than others in the clade (3.6 µm long). Differences were also noted in histology; the SGM formed large aggregates of spores within neural tissues along with a high incidence of numerous smaller aggregates and single spores within the surface tissue along the ventricular spaces that extended submeninx, whereas P. neurophilia and M. cerebralis infect deep into the neuropile and cause associated lesions. Analysis of small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences showed that the SGM was <93% similar to these related microsporidia. Nevertheless, one of 2 commonly used PCR tests for P. neurophilia cross reacted with tissues infected with SGM. These data suggest that there could be other related microsporidia capable of infecting zebrafish and other laboratory fishes that are not being detected by these highly specific assays. Consequently, exclusive use of these PCR tests may not accurately diagnose other related microsporidia infecting animals in laboratory and ornamental fish facilities.

Mycobacterium bovis hip bursitis in a lung transplant recipient.

We present a report of extrapulmonary Mycobacterium bovis infection in a lung transplant recipient. M. bovis is acquired predominantly by zoonotic transmission, particularly from consumption of unpasteurized foods. We discuss epidemiologic exposure, especially as relates to the Mexico-US border, clinical characteristics, resistance profile, and treatment.

Granuloma reparativo central de células gigantes. Características clinicomorfologicas y diagnósticos diferenciales / Central reparative granuloma of giant cells. morphological characteristics and clinical differential diagnosis

El granuloma reparativo central de células gigantes(GRCCG) es una lesión osteolítica poco frecuente, localizadageneralmente en los huesos maxilares. Aunquesu patogenia continúa siendo controversial, se creeque se origina tras una irritación o traumatismo crónico.Se manifiesta en forma de nódulo circunscripto rojo-púrpura,de crecimiento lento e histológicamente está constituidopor células gigantes multinucleadas inmersas enuna estroma de células ovaladas y fusiformes, planteandodiagnósticos diferenciales con otras lesiones de cé-lulas gigantes.A pesar de sus características histológicas benignas, elcomportamiento de esta lesión suele ser agresivo localmente.Mujer de 31 años de edad con una lesiónosteolítica en maxilar inferior, que resultó tener un componentepredominante de células gigantes que motivóun minucioso análisis anatomopatológico y clínico delesiones de células gigantes de los maxilares, llegándoseal diagnóstico de GRCCG.En nuestro caso la edad, el sexo y la localización de lalesión se correspondieron con la bibliografía consultada.También concordó la clínica, la presentación de lalesión como única, el hallazgo de células gigantesmultinucleadas en una estroma fibrocelularvascularizada y la observación de áreas hemorrágicas ypigmento hemosiderínico. No encontramos antecedentesde irritación o traumatismo en la zona tumoral.A pesar del gran número de lesiones de células gigantesmultinucleadas de los maxilares llegamos al diagnósticode GRCCG por la clínica y los hallazgos morfológicos.Nuestra paciente no presentó signos de recurrencia hastael momento de esta comunicación.Es nuestro objetivo indicar la importancia clínico-patoló-gica del GRCCG, que obliga a plantear diagnósticosdiferenciales con todas las lesiones que en esta localizaciónpresentan células gigantes...

The central reparative granuloma giant cell (GRCCG) isa rare osteolytic lesion, usually located on the jawbone.Although its pathogenesis remains controversial, isbelieved to have originated after irritation or chronic trauma.It manifests as red-purple nodule circumscribed, slowgrowing and histologically is composed of multinucleatedgiant cells embedded in a stroma of spindle and ovalcells, suggesting differential diagnosis with other giantcell lesions.Their benign histological features, the behavior of theselesions are usually locally aggressive. Case report 31 yearsof age with an osteolytic lesion in the mandible. Thehistopathological study showed the same predominantgiant cell component, arriving after a thorough differentialanalysis and clinical pathology of giant cell lesions of thejaws, the diagnosis of GRCCG.Discussion: In our case the age, sex and location of thelesion were consistent with the literature. They alsoagreed the presentation of the lesion as unique, the findingof multinucleated giant cells in a fibrocellular stroma vascularand hemorrhagic areas observing and hemosiderinpigment. No irritation or trauma to the tumor area.Our patient had no signs of recurrence. It is our objectiveto indicate the importance of GRCCG clinicopathological,which requires raising the differential diagnosisfor all lesions in this location have giant cells, takinginto account both clinical and morphology...

[Primary lung paraganglioma. A case report]. / Paraganglioma pulmonar primario como tumor incidental.

Primary lung paragangliomas are rare. They are 1-2% of the paragangliomas, and most of them occur in patients of 43-61 years. They clinically appear as solitary tumors and are in general asymptomatic. These tumors show a nesting pattern (Zellballen) of chief polygonal cells locked by fibrovascular trabeculae with subtenticular cells. The main cells have uniform nuclei with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, and they are positive for neuroendocrinal markers (Neuron Specific Enolase, sinaptofisine and cromogranine A). Sustentacular cells are positive for protein S-100 and neurofibrilar protein. A differential diagnosis with the carcinoid tumor can be very difficult. The surgical treatment is mandatory , specially high blood pressure and the chances of malignization.

[Heterotopic pancreas in gallbladder]. / Páncreas heterotopico en vesícula biliar, un hallazgo incidental.

UNLABELLED: Heterotopic pancreas in the gallbladder is uncommon.condition and its clinical presentation is as an intramural nodule near the cystic duct, with an incidental finding in most cases. OBJECTIVE: to update Heterotopic pancreas condition in the gallbladder. We reported a case of a 18-year-old female, suffering with biliar colic who was operated on with diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Six mixed gallstones were found in the surgery and the gallbladder was distended and edematous with serosal exudate and the serosa appeared discolored and hemorrhagic. The wall was thickened with edema and hemorrhage. Microscopic findings were: congestive mucosa , edema, acute inflammatory cells and fibrin deposition on the wall and a subtle (myo)-fibroblastic proliferation. The nodule was diagnosed as macroscopic heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the gallbladder wall thickness, without neoplastic changes. Clinical presentation as acute cholecystitis has been rarely reported in the presence of heterotopic pancreatic tissue.

Evaluation of the validity of the Quality of Well-being Scale in Trinidad and Tobago.

Both developing countries in the Caribbean and developed countries face resource allocation challenges. However, cost-effectiveness analysis instruments that may assist in allocation of resources have not been tested in Caribbean countries. Trinidad and Tobago is an advantageous location to test an instrument for potential use in the Caribbean. It has a single payer healthcare system and a literate population. Due to historical and current migration from other Caribbean countries, the population might be a fair representation of English-speaking Caribbean nations. We tested the validity of the Quality of Well-being Scale (QWB) on a sample of the non-institutionalized general population in Trinidad. The survey included reports of chronic conditions and items from the Trinidad and Tobago National Health Interview Survey. Data were analyzed using a multivariable regression model. One adult from each of 235 households consented to the interview. The results are consistent with results obtained in the United States of America. Being older female, more chronic conditions and more symptoms/problems were significantly associated with lower mean QWB scores. These results suggest that the QWB with US-derived weights show evidence of validity in Trinidad and Tobago. Thus, health decision makers can use the QWB to compare the effects of different health conditions and health interventions. In addition, investigators can make cross-cultural comparisons of QWB scores for diseases or health conditions.

[Small intestinal plasmacytoid lymphoma. Clinical presentation with acute abdominal pain]. / Linfoma plasmocitoide de intestino delgado. Presentación clínica con un cuadro de abdomen agudo.

Primary tumors of the small intestine are rare; 15-20% of the cases are extranodal lymphomas from B or T cells. Higher Incidence occurs in patients between 21 and 50 years. The clinical symptoms are pain, intestinal obstruction, diarrhea, bleeding or perforated peritonitis. In high-grade lymphomas, the cells are large and pleomorphic, with immunoblastic and plasmacytoid features, and immunopositive for alpha chain immunoglobulins. We reported the case of a 56-year-old patient presented with abdominal pain associated with intestinal perforation. Resections of a 9-centimetres-long segment in the small intestine was performed, which was covered by purulent plaques, with a perforation of 5 mm, surrounded by a greyish-white thick intestinal wall. It can be observed in the microscopy a proliferation of neoplastic cells arranged diffusely and with frequent mitosis. Large areas of immunoblastic and plasmacytoid configuration were evident. The immunomarcation was consistent with a lymphoma of large cells, immunophenotype B, with plasmacytoid development. We highlighted the clinical presentation like acute abdominal pain and its clinical and pathological characteristics, especially in the plasmacytoid development that should differ of the true plasmocytoma.

Gait velocity in senior people. An easy test for detecting mobility impairment in community elderly.

BACKGROUND: Functional assessment is an important part of the evaluation of elderly patients. Mobility problems detected by functional tests predict the development of more severe disability and injurious events such as falls and hip fractures. Several tests to evaluate mobility have been described, but most of them are difficult to perform by a primary care physicians or take much time in the ambulatory setting. PURPOSE: To evaluate different mobility test to detect mobility impairment in community senior people. Select an easier test to perform on the ambulatory ward by a GP with the hypothesis that gait velocity could be an easier test to detect early mobility impairment. METHODS: A cohort of 100 elderly subjects of 75 year and older were selected from our database and contacted by phone. The subjects were appointed and assessed by three geriatricians from January to May 2000. The measures including MMSE, Yesavage Test, ADL (Barhtel) and IADL (Lawton), the Get Up and Go test, the POMA, one leg balance test and the Gait Velocity (GV). A gait velocity of 0.8 m/s or lower was defined as a pathological gait velocity (PGV). RESULTS: 95 subjects, mean age 79.63 (+/- 4) ranged form 75 to 95. Women in 71.3%. The ADLs were normal on 85% of the patients and the MMSE was normal on 78%. There was a significant association between pathological gait velocity (<0.8m/sec) and impairment on Get up and Go (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.44-3.34), incapacity to perform the one leg balance test (OR 2.20; 95%CI: 1.43 - 4.71) and abnormal POMA test (OR 4.60; 95 %CI 1.5-14.7). Only 15% of the subjects with normal gait velocity reported recurrent falls in the previous 6 months while 35% of subjects with pathological gait velocity did. (OR 0.32 CI95% 010-099 p < 0.044). CONCLUSION: The pathological gait velocity (<0.8m/sec) correlates with a pathologic performance of Get Up and Go test and POMA and with the incapacity to perform the One Leg Balance test. Also correlate with previous repeated falls in the last 6 (p <0.04). The gait velocity could be a test easy to perform, no time consuming, and an operative tool to apply in the ambulatory care to detect elderly patients with mobility impairment.

Validation of the FAMACHA eye color chart for detecting clinical anemia in sheep and goats on farms in the southern United States.

Recent studies on sheep and goat farms in the southern United States indicate that multiple-anthelmintic resistance in Haemonchus contortus is becoming a severe problem. Though many factors are involved in the evolution of resistance, the proportion of the parasite population under drug selection is believed to be the single most important factor influencing how rapidly resistance develops. Therefore, where prevention of resistance is an important parallel goal of worm control, it is recommended to leave a portion of the animals untreated. Recently, a novel system called FAMACHA was developed in South Africa, which enables clinical identification of anemic sheep and goats. When H. contortus is the primary parasitic pathogen, this system can be applied on the farm level to reduce the number of treatments administered, thereby increasing the proportion of the worm population in refugia. Since most studies validating the FAMACHA method have been performed in South Africa, it is important that the method be tested in other regions before its use is broadly recommended. We performed a validation study of FAMACHA by testing the system in sheep (n = 847) and goats (n = 537) of various breeds and ages from 39 farms located in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and the US Virgin Islands. The color of the ocular conjunctiva of all animals were scored on a 1-5 scale using the FAMACHA card, and blood samples were collected from each animal for determination of packed cell volume (PCV). Fecal samples were also collected from a majority of the animals tested for performance of fecal egg counts (FEC). Correlations between PCV and eye scores, PCV and FEC, and FEC and eye scores were all highly significant for both sheep and goats (P < 0.001). Data for both FAMACHA scores and PCV were evaluated using two separate criteria for anemia: eye score values of 3, 4 and 5 or 4 and 5, and PCV values of < or =19 or < or =15 were considered anemic. Specificity was maximized when eye score values of 4 and 5 were considered anemic and PCV cut off for anemia was < or =19, but sensitivity was low. In contrast, sensitivity was 100% for both sheep and goats when eye score values of 3, 4 and 5 were considered anemic and PCV cut off was < or =15, but specificity was low. In both sheep and goats, predictive value of a negative was greater than 92% for all anemia and eye score categories, and was greater than 99% for both eye score categories when an anemia cutoff of < or =15 was used. Predictive value of a positive test was low under all criteria indicating that many non-anemic animals would be treated using this system. However, compared to conventional dosing practices where all animals are treated, a large proportion of animals would still be left untreated. These data indicate that the FAMACHA method is an extremely useful tool for identifying anemic sheep and goats in the southern US and US Virgin Islands. However, further studies are required to determine optimal strategies for incorporating FAMACHA-based selective treatment protocols into integrated nematode control programs.

[Epidemiology of delirium in elderly inpatients]. / Epidemiología del delirio en ancianos hospitalizados.

Our objective was to determine delirium incidence and risk factors in a cohort of elderly inpatients. We randomly selected 149 patients, aged 65 years or older, from admission to general wards, without evidence of delirium. They were evaluated daily with the Confusion Assessment Method, an instrument validated for the diagnosis of delirium. We obtained relative risks for delirium and those independently associated were included in a logistic regression model. We used the chi-square test with Yate's corrections for univariate analysis, and t-test for comparisons of means. We observed that 51 patients (20.5%) developed delirium during their hospital stay. Severity of disease (RR 1.28, 1.14-1.43), having chronic diseases (RR 3.45, 2.4-4.96), and having fever at admission (RR 1.84, 1.33-2.56) were found independently associated with delirium. Patients who developed delirium had longer hospital stay (9.87 days +/- 3.48 vs 6.95 days +/- 2.45, p < 0.05) and higher mortality (RR 2.19, CI 1.26-3.79). We conclude that delirium in our setting is very frequent and has negative effects on resource utilization and mortality in elderly inpatients. Its association with the severity of the disease seems interesting. Appropriate prospective identification of patients at risk for delirium may allow the implementation of preventive strategies in order to minimize the impact of this complication.

Epidemiología del delirio en ancianos hospitalizados. / [Epidemiology of delirium in elderly inpatients]

Our objective was to determine delirium incidence and risk factors in a cohort of elderly inpatients. We randomly selected 149 patients, aged 65 years or older, from admission to general wards, without evidence of delirium. They were evaluated daily with the Confusion Assessment Method, an instrument validated for the diagnosis of delirium. We obtained relative risks for delirium and those independently associated were included in a logistic regression model. We used the chi-square test with Yates corrections for univariate analysis, and t-test for comparisons of means. We observed that 51 patients (20.5

) developed delirium during their hospital stay. Severity of disease (RR 1.28, 1.14-1.43), having chronic diseases (RR 3.45, 2.4-4.96), and having fever at admission (RR 1.84, 1.33-2.56) were found independently associated with delirium. Patients who developed delirium had longer hospital stay (9.87 days +/- 3.48 vs 6.95 days +/- 2.45, p < 0.05) and higher mortality (RR 2.19, CI 1.26-3.79). We conclude that delirium in our setting is very frequent and has negative effects on resource utilization and mortality in elderly inpatients. Its association with the severity of the disease seems interesting. Appropriate prospective identification of patients at risk for delirium may allow the implementation of preventive strategies in order to minimize the impact of this complication.

An evaluation of nitrous oxide analgesia during transcutaneous pacing.

Transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) is a promising prehospital intervention, but there are little data available regarding protocols to improve patient tolerance to TCP. A 50:50 nitrous oxide:oxygen analgesic mixture also is a commonly employed prehospital intervention. In this randomized, prospective study, we compared the discomfort experienced by 18 healthy subjects when paced in two trials at the capture threshold: one following breathing of a 50:50 nitrous oxide:oxygen mixture; and the second only breathing room air. Discomfort was rated on an analog scale from 1 (minimal discomfort) to 10 (severe pain). Of the 18 subjects, 15 (83%) reported that nitrous oxide improved the tolerance to pacing at capture threshold. The median pain scores at capture threshold in the nitrous oxide and room air group were 3.8 and 5.0 respectively (P less than .05). Nine of the subjects tolerated TCP for the maximum allotted time of 30 seconds in each trial; six tolerated TCP for a longer time period in the nitrous oxide trial; three tolerated TCP longer in the room air trial. These data suggest that inhalation of 50:50 nitrous oxide:oxygen mixture may improve tolerance to TCP in the conscious patient.

Attendance at health promotion programs: baseline predictors and program outcomes.

As part of a family cardiovascular health promotion project, 111 Mexican-American and 95 Anglo-American families with fifth- or sixth-grade children were assigned to either a primary prevention program involving 18 sessions or to a control condition. This article evaluates predictors of attendance at the year long sequence of sessions in the intervention group. In addition it considers the relationship between attendance and program outcomes. Low baseline scores on physical activity and cardiovascular fitness measures were associated with higher attendance for both children and adults. High initial health knowledge and self-motivation were also associated with attendance. Multiple regression analysis showed that adult attendance was significantly predicted by a model including completion of a three-day food record, low exercise, higher socioeconomic status, family adaptability, and self-motivation. Attendance was correlated with greater knowledge gains and larger reductions in blood pressure. The results indicate that motivated families who are in greater need of conditioning attended more sessions in a health promotion program.

Correct positioning of an endotracheal tube using a flexible lighted stylet.

Endotracheal intubation is not without complications, among the most serious of these being misplacement of the endotracheal (ET) tube. Unrecognized esophageal placement is a lethal complication, but even when placed in the trachea, ET tubes can be displaced distally and enter a mainstem bronchus. Correct positioning of an ET tube is usually defined as the placement of the tube within the trachea approximately 5 cm above the carina. Chest x-ray is the most common and a reliable method of demonstrating correct positioning, particularly in ICU patients. Using transillumination by means of a flexible stylet (lightwand), we investigated whether transillumination could position an ET tube consistently within 5 +/- 2 cm of the carina. Ten human cadavers of varied weight and body habitus were intubated under direct vision and 10 ml of a radiopaque dye was injected down the tube as a marker for the carina. A premeasured flexible lighted stylet was then inserted into the inplace tube so that the bulb was positioned at the tube's distal opening. The brightest transilluminated glow produced by the bulb was then positioned at the sternal notch. A chest x-ray was taken and the distance of the tube tip from the carina was calculated. In each case the tube tip could be placed consistently at a level 5 +/- 1 cm from the carina by observing the maximal transilluminated glow at the sternal notch. We conclude that transillumination of the neck using a flexible lighted stylet can accurately and consistently position an ET tube at an appropriate distance above the carina.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Saliva alcohol reagent strips in altered response protocols.

The prehospital care provider has been limited in his or her initial assessment of patients due to having available only a limited number of simple diagnostic tests. There has not been an accurate field test available to rule out significant ethanol intoxication. We designed a prospective trial for the prehospital setting to test the utility of a rapid, semi-quantitative, saliva alcohol reagent strip for patients with an altered level of consciousness. We found that these strips were useful in ruling out significant ethanol intoxication as a cause of an altered level of consciousness with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 94.4%, but were not useful in accurately predicting the blood alcohol level. We conclude that these reagent strips are useful in the prehospital setting to provide information about patients with an altered level of consciousness.

Exercise suppresses heritability estimates for obesity in Mexican-American families.

In multivariate analysis, suppressor variables attenuate the true relationship between predictor and outcome variables. Although suppressor variables relationships were described more than 45 years ago, few examples have been reported in the health care literature. We studied the correspondence between body mass in 111 Mexican-American families. Estimates of exercise suppressed the correlation between body mass for some dyads within these families. We concluded that the suppressor variable relationship may cause underestimates of heritability in multivariate studies.