Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) in the North: STARI following a tick bite in Long Island, New York.

The most common clinical manifestation of Lyme disease is the characteristic rash, erythema migrans (EM). In the 1980s EM-like eruptions were reported in Missouri and other southeastern states. The EM-like eruptions, which were of unknown etiology, often followed the bite of the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the rash is called STARI (southern tick-associated rash illness). Although the Lone Star tick is found in the Lyme disease-endemic areas of New England and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, STARI has been reported only once from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. We report a child from Connecticut who visited Long Island, New York, and developed a rash that was thought to be EM. Because the patient failed to respond to antibiotics used to treat Lyme disease, an investigation ensued, and the diagnosis of STARI was established.

In vitro evaluation of the anti-bacterial effect of two preparations of platelet rich plasma compared with cefazolin and whole blood.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the antibacterial properties of two different platelet-rich plasma (PRP) platelet concentration preparations (PRPLP and PRPHP) through a time-kill assay. METHODS: Two different PRP preparations - a single spin process yielding lower white blood cells and platelet concentration (PRPLP) and one yielding high platelet and white blood cell concentration (PRPHP) - were obtained from 2 individuals. PRPLP, PRPHP, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), whole blood and Cefazolin were added to experimental reaction tubes, each containing a single bacterial inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epi), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Two dilutions (1:1,000, and 1:10,000) were plated in duplicate tubes, along with positive (blood and PBS) and negative (Cefazolin) controls and assessed at five time points (0, 1, 4, 8 and 24 hours). RESULTS: After centrifugation, platelet count of PRPLP was 386 ± 65.5 × 103/?L and PRPHP was 867 ± 234.4 × 103/?L. Both PRP products showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in bacterial growth at 8 hours compared to whole blood. CONCLUSION: The application of PRPLP and PRPHP showed a significant decrease in bacterial growth after 8 hours for S. aureus, S. epi, MRSA and P. acnes compared to the whole blood control group. S.epi, MRSA, and P. acnes also showed a significant decrease in bacterial growth after 24 hours. Despite differences in platelet concentration and WBC concentration, no difference in antibacterial activity was seen between the two preparations.

Reproductive biology of the mare: oestrous cycle and ovulation time / Biologia reprodutiva de éguas: estudo do ciclo estral e momento de ovulação

Twenty one mares were used, 11 Pure breed (PSA) and 10 cross-breed Arabicus (CA) from 3 to 11 years old. The animals were teased daily. The heat was supervised by rectum palpation at first twice, and thereafter, three times a day until the end of estrus. Independent of estrus stage, all animals were examined three times a week. To detect the ovulation time, the mares were examined at 8:00 am, 4:00 pm and 11:00 pm, through the whole estrus period, to observe the ovarian and follicles size, sensibility and consistency. The mean length of oestrous cycle was 24.24 ± 6.00 days, with 7.50 ± 4.16 days to estrus and 17.53 ± 3.18 to diestrus. The ontset of estrus occurred more frequently at 12:00 pm than at 8:00 am or 4:00 pm. Ovulations occurred at night (75%) and 25% during the day. Ovulations were frequently uniform in the ovariums. In 85% of the cases the estrus signs finished 24 hours after ovulation.

No presente estudo, foram utilizadas 21 éguas, das quais eram 11 Puros-Sangues Árabes (PSA) e 10 Cruza Árabes (CA), entre 3 e 11 anos de idade. Para identificação do estro (cio) utilizaram-se os métodos de rufiação e palpação retal, sendo que as éguas foram rufiadas 3 vezes ao dia até o final do estro para determinação de sua duração. Independente do estágio do ciclo, todos os animais foram examinados pelo menos 3 vezes por semana. No diagnóstico do momento de ovulação, as éguas foram examinadas às 8 h, 12 h e 16 h durante todo o período de estro, verificando-se as condições ovarianas e foliculares. A duração média do ciclo estral foi de 24,24 ± 6,00 dias com 7,50 ± 4,16 dias de estro. Observou-se que o início do estro foi mais freqüente às 12 h do que às 8 h ou 16 h e que as ovulações ocorreram 75% à noite, estando distribuídas de igual maneira nos dois ovários. Notou-se, também, que a fase estral terminou em 85% dos casos 24 horas após a ovulação.