Immune response and protective efficacy in sheep immunised with hydroxylamine-inactivated bluetongue virus vaccine.

Vero cell adapted bluetongue virus (BTV), serotype 18 (BTV-18) was inactivated with hydroxylamine and adjuvanted with aluminium hydroxide (Al[OH](3)) gel, saponin, or Al(OH)(3) gel/saponin prior to immunisation of sheep. Group-specific non-neutralising antibodies to BTV were detected in all vaccinated sheep as soon as seven days after vaccination. However, before challenge, serotype-specific neutralising antibodies were not detected in vaccinated sheep. Upon challenge with homologous live BTV, there was a reduction in delayed type of hypersensitivity response in control sheep but not in the vaccinated animals. All vaccinated sheep had significant (P<0.01) reductions in their clinical reaction index (CRI) and duration of viraemia.

Detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) genomic sequences in bovine semen inoculated with BHV-1 by polymerase chain reaction.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was applied to detect BHV-1 in bovine semen inoculated with BHV-1. The technique was found to be 10(6) times more sensitive than a non-isotopic dot-blot hybridization method in detecting viral genomic DNA. Of the three primer pairs used, the one chosen from glycoprotein gC appeared to be most sensitive as it could detect up to 0.01 TCID50 of BHV-1 in the semen. The technique could be useful in screening breeding bulls or samples of frozen semen prior to use in artificial insemination.

Mast cell reactivity in lymphoma: a preliminary communication.

Fifty nodes of Hodgkin's disease, 50 of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 20 of reactive hyperplasia revealed varying degree of mast cell reactivity. It was maximum in reactive lymph nodes, sinuses and interfollicular areas being infiltrated more than zones. The number of mast cells was more in nodular sclerosis variety of Hodgkin's disease than other Rye-subtypes, and more in Hodgkin's group than non-Hodgkin's, out of the latter, the diffuse histiocytic lymphoma revealed higher number. Analysis of a larger series and follow-up of these patients are indicated to establish the possible reactionary nature of mast cell reactivity in lymphomas, and the prognostic bearing, if any.

A study of aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning with special reference to electrocardiographic changes.

Ninety patients with aluminum phosphide poisoning have been studied over a period of 3 years. Epigastric pain and vomiting were the common initial clinical features, followed 12 to 24 hours later by cardiogenic shock, oliguria, altered mental state and respiratory distress. Death occurred within 24 to 72 hours presumably due to poison-induced toxic chemical myocarditis as reflected by electrocardiographic changes. The overall mortality was 63.3%. Intravenous magnesium sulphate, probably due to its membrane stabilizing action, appears to be related to the reduction in mortality from 90% to 52% in the latter 62 cases.

A prospective study of BCG given to young children in Agra, India--a region of high contact with environmental mycobacteria.

A multiple skin test survey of school children (aged 5-15 years) living in Agra, India showed very high levels of sensitisation to numerous species of mycobacteria and little difference in tuberculin positivity between those with and without BCG scars. A total of 136 children aged 3 months to 8 years, living in Agra, were skin tested with Tuberculin and Leprosin A and examined for scars of previous BCG vaccination. Of those who had not previously received BCG and who had responses to Tuberculin of zero or less than 5 mm induration, 109 were offered BCG vaccination: 107 accepted and as many of them as possible were followed up with repeat skin testing 1 and 2 years later. The results are discussed in relation to the background of environmental sensitisation. A comparison is made with the data obtained from other places, particularly the Lebanon, where there is little sensitisation from the environment. Although the high level of Tuberculin conversion achieved after BCG suggested that the vaccine might have an important protective effect, the large size of Tuberculin responses in comparison with those obtained in the UK was worrying. Evidence was obtained suggesting that sensitisation to mycobacteria may occur in very young children which is not detected by the Tuberculin test, but which influences responses to BCG vaccination.

Fulminant amebic colitis.

Nine patients with fulminating amebic colitis who were treated surgically from 1975 to 1982 are presented. Only those who had bowel resections with exteriorization of the cut ends survived. The pertinent literature is reviewed briefly.

Shortest possible acceptable effective chemotherapy in ambulatory patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Part II. Results during the 24 months after the end of chemotherapy.

Efficacy of two 4.5-month regimens (3 RSZH / S2H2Z2 and 3 RSZH /RH) and one 3-month regimen (3 RSZH ) in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis is reported (see table 1 for definition of regimen abbreviations). Even when the patients were ambulatory and outpatient attendance was required for supervised drug administration, drug compliance was high (87%). Bacillary sterilization was achieved in 99% of the patients at 3 months. During first year follow-up after cessation of chemotherapy, 6% of the patients receiving the 3 RSZH regimen, 7% of the patients receiving the 3 RSZH / S2H2Z2 regimen, and 2% of the patients receiving the 3 RSZH / R2H2 regimen experienced relapse. During second year follow-up, relapse was observed in only 1 patient receiving the 3 RSZH / S2H2Z2 regimen. The patients who relapsed usually had drug-susceptible strains at the time of relapse. Regression of pulmonary lesions continued even after the cessation of chemotherapy.