bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adverse effects of early phenobarbital administration in term newborns with perinatal asphyxia
Authors: Ajayi Oluade A. , Oyaniyi Olanrewaju T. , Chike‐Obi Ugonna D.
Published: March 2003

Taking advantage of the lack of consensus in our neonatal unit regarding the early (prior to the onset of signs of hypoxic – ischaemic encephalopathy) administration of phenobarbital to term infants with perinatal asphyxia, we evaluated the possible cerebral sparing effect of phenobarbital by doing a retrospective case‐control analysis. Fifty‐seven infants who received 10 mg/kg loading dose of phenobarbital within one hour following resuscitation and before the onset of signs of hypoxic −ischaemic encephalopathy were compared with 91 infants who did not to determine the effect of early phenobarbital on the incidence of subsequent seizures, and mortality in the perinatal period. Early phenobarbital was associated with a threefold (P < 0.025) increase in the incidence of subsequent seizures, and consequently a trend towards increased mortality. Seizures per se were associated with almost a 20fold increase in mortality (P < 0.0001). These findings suggest that early phenobarbital administration may produce adverse rather than beneficial effects following asphyxia. Because this is an observational study, these results need to be confirmed by appropriate randomized trials in similar clinical settings.
Rodent malaria in rats exacerbated by milk protein, attenuated by low‐protein vegetable diet
Authors: Van Doorne C. W. , Eling W. M. C. , Luyken R.
Published: March 2003

Young male Wistar rats were fed a purified, vegetable, low‐protein diet containing 6% protein from maize gluten and 2% from soy protein isolate, or comparable diets in which maize gluten was replaced partly or completely by the equivalent amount of a milk protein concentrate. Diets with adequate protein level (16% or 22%) served as a control. At 21 or 31 days of age, the rats were infected with 3000 or 100 000 erythrocytes parasitized with Plasmodium berghei. Results reported include body weight, mortality, paralysis and parasitaemia. Dietary replacement of part of the maize gluten protein by milk protein increased weight gain, but aggravated the malaria, as shown by increases in parasitaemia, paralysis and mortality. The aggravating effect of milk protein was dose‐dependent. With only 4% milk protein in an 8% total protein diet, the disease symptoms were nearly as severe as with diets adequate in protein level. With a vegetable‐only 8% protein diet symptoms were considerably less severe.
Infection with group C rotavirus in a suburban community in Brazil
Authors: Cox  , James  , Azevedo  , Massad  , Medley
Published: March 2003

Group C rotaviruses are associated with sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide. Age‐specific seroprevalence of group C rotavirus antibodies was investigated in sera, randomly collected and representative of a suburban community in Brazil which had previously been screened for group A rotavirus antibodies. Antibody prevalence to group C rotavirus was low in children under 5 years and increased slowly with age to 36% seropositivity in adults, reflecting continuous exposure to primary infection in all age groups. This suggests a higher incidence of infection than disease might predict. Adult antibody prevalence was similar to that in other geographical settings. No obvious patterns of infection with group A and group C rotavirus were found within individuals, which suggests independent transmission. However, further epidemiological studies are required to understand group C rotavirus dynamics and possible interactions with group A rotavirus transmission and immunity.
Wild poliovirus circulation among healthy children immunized with oral polio vaccine in Antananarivo, Madagascar
Authors: Andrianarivelo M. Rakoto , Rabarijaona L. , Boisier P. , Chezzi C. , Zeller Hervé G.
Published: March 2003

Summary From July 1995 to December 1996, 3185 stool specimens from healthy children aged 6–59 months attending 6 dispensaries in the Antananarivo area were examined for poliovirus. The children had been routinely immunized according to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) schedule and received the last dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV) more than 1 month before stool collection. 99.4% of the children were immunized with at least 3 doses of OPV. HEp‐2 cell culture revealed virus infections in 192 stools (6.0%), including 9 poliovirus (0.3%) and 183 nonpolio enterovirus isolates (5.7%). Infections occurred throughout the year, but incidence was higher during the hot and rainy season (P= 0.01). Using a neutralization test with monoclonal antibodies and PCR‐RFLP in two genomic regions coding for the VP1 capsid and RNA polymerase, 4 wild polioviruses (3 type 1 and 1 type 3) and 5 vaccine‐related polioviruses (2 Sabin 1‐like variants, 1 Sabin 2‐like and 2 Sabin 3‐like) strains were identified. The wild polioviruses were isolated at the beginning and the end of the dry season. Similar RFLP patterns were observed for the 3 wild type 1 polioviruses. Comparison of partial genomic sequences in the VP1/2 A region of 1 of the wild type 1 isolates with 2 wild type strains isolated in Antananarivo in 1992 and 1993 showed a divergence of at least 10% between the strains, suggesting at least two different pathways of transmission during this period. Our findings demonstrate that immunization with 3 doses of OPV did not prevent intestinal carriage of wild poliovirus strains, and that there is a risk of wild poliovirus transmission to susceptible children in the area. Multiple strategies are required to improve immunization coverage in Madagascar.
Field evaluation of a one‐step dipstick assay for the diagnosis of human leptospirosis in the Seychelles
Authors: Yersin Claude , Bovet Pascal , Smits Henk L. , Perolat Philippe
Published: March 2003

Summary objective and method  To compare the response of a dipstick assay (DSA) detecting Leptospira‐specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies with that of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), an indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), the microagglutination test (MAT) and a polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) in patients with leptospirosis confirmed by MAT alone or by MAT and/or PCR (MAT/PCR).

result  In 75 patients with acute leptospirosis diagnosed by MAT (respectively, 90 patients diagnosed by MAT/PCR), the response in paired early and convalescent sera was positive in 78.9% (67.9%) by DSA, 76.0% (67.8%) by ELISA, 58.7% (55.6%) by IHA, 44.0% (53.3%) by PCR, and 100% (90.0%) by MAT. In early serum only, the response in patients diagnosed by MAT (respectively by MAT/PCR) was positive in 36.0% (38.9%) by DSA, 36.0% (37.8%) by ELISA, 14.7% (18.9%) by IHA, 39.2% (48.3%) by PCR, and 53.3% (58.9%) by MAT titre ≥1 : 100. DSA detected the main serogroups implicated in human leptospirosis in Seychelles and demonstrated sensitivity comparable to ELISA. In 124 single sera from control subjects without overt disease, the response was positive in 4.8% by DSA, 3.2% by ELISA, 3.2% by IHA, 13.8% by PCR, 37.9% by MAT titre ≥1 : 100, and 2.4% by MAT titre ≥1 : 800, giving evidence of the frequency of both past and current subclinical infection in Seychelles and that DSA was less sensitive than MAT to detect moderate levels of leptospiral antibodies.

conclusion  DSA is a simple and reproducible assay well adapted to field conditions and could usefully contribute to the evaluation of leptospirosis in areas devoid of serological laboratory facilities.
Evaluation of a quantitative determination of CD4 and CD8 molecules as an alternative to CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocyte counts in Africans
Authors: Diagbouga Serge , Durand Georges , Sanou Paul Thomas , Dahourou Honorine , Ledru Eric
Published: March 2003

Summary In the developed word, monitoring HIV‐infected patients is routinely determined by CD4 + T lymphocyte absolute counts. The reference procedure, flow cytometry, is expensive, requires sophisticated instrumentation and operators with specific training. Due to these limitations, CD4 counting is often unavailable in developing countries. The Capcellia assay is an enzyme‐linked immunoassay for quantitative determination of CD4 and CD8 molecules. We evaluated this method in West Africa on blood samples collected from 39 HIV‐uninfected and 44 HIV‐infected adult subjects. CD4 concentration ranges were determined according to the clinical stages of the disease. We then studied the relationship between the two methods in the HIV‐infected patients. The Spearman's rank correlation was 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.38–0.76, P < 0.0001). Nevertheless, determination of limits of agreement revealed discrepancies between the two methods, especially for CD4 counts > 0.4 ×109/l, which are discussed. We conclude that the Capcellia assay is a convenient means to determine the immunodepression level where flow cytometric instrumentation is unavailable, and can be complementary to CD4 T lymphocyte enumeration.
Circulating antibodies and antigens correlate with egg counts in human fascioliasis
Authors: Shehab A. Y. , Basha L. M. Abou , El‐Morshedy H. N. , Abdel‐Fattah M. , Osman M. M. , Farag H. F.
Published: March 2003

Summary We explored the relationships between specific IgG antibody levels and circulating E/S antigen to intensity of Fasciola infection in the human host. Twenty patients with patent infection and six healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Intensity of infection was determined by repeated egg counts in stools, while IgG antibodies against adult Fasciola gigantica somatic FI, FII and against E/S antigens were measured as ELISA O.D. readings. The level of circulating E/S antigens was determined by IELISA. Positivity as well as levels of antibodies and antigen correlated with infection intensity. These findings may disclose in the future a relation between morbidity in the acute phase and worm load.
Seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in a Jamaican community
Authors: Lindo J. F. , Lyn‐Sue A. E. , Palmer C. J. , Lee M. G. , Vogel P. , Robinson R. D.
Published: March 2003

Summary We researched epidemiologic associations between environmental and demographic factors and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in a suburban Jamaican community. Using a clustered sampling technique, 22 domestic yards enclosing 60 separate households were randomly selected from a local community. All household members (n = 346) were invited to participate following informed consent; the overall compliance rate was 58.9%. A commercial enzyme immunoassay (HMáCAP) was used to detect IgG antibodies raised against H. pylori. Environmental and demographic information was obtained by questionnaire. The seroprevalence of H. pylori was 69.9% (n = 202). Analysis of the independent variables revealed three major components: Component 1 described, collectively, good personal hygiene and sanitation, indoor water supply and absence of straying animals in the peridomestic area; Component 2 included older age, good personal hygiene and large yard size; Component 3 the presence of domestic animals (cats and dogs) and, again, large yard size. These three complexes explained 42.2% of the variability in the data set. Logistic regression showed that Components 2 and 3 were independently associated with H. pylori seropositivity, indicating that a combination of demographic, environmental and zoonotic factors is involved in the spread of H. pylori infections at the tropical community level.
Mothers' perceptions and knowledge on childhood malaria in the holendemic Kibaha district, Tanzania: implications for malaria control and the IMCI strategy
Authors: Tarimo D. S. , Lwihula G. K. , Minjas J. N. , Bygbjerg I. C.
Published: March 2003

Summary Prior to an intervention on improving the quality of malaria case management, we assessed mothers' abilities to recognize nonsevere and severe/complicated malaria in children when a child has fever with other physiological and behavioural symptoms associated with malaria. Malaria was mentioned as the commonest febrile illness (94.1%), convulsions the least (11.4%). Fever and enteric symptoms featured as the most important symptoms of childhood malaria at frequencies of 93.5% and 73.8%, respectively. The need for laboratory diagnosis was very high (98.3%), the reason being to get accurate diagnosis and treatment (89.4%). Poor outcome of treatment was ascribed to incorrect diagnosis and prescription, noncompliance at home and ineffective drugs (62.1%). Most mothers (86.6%) would take antipyretic measures first when a child has fever, and subsequently the majority (92.9%) would seek care at a modern health facility. About 50% of the mothers would give traditional treatments for childhood convulsions and wait till fits cease before the next action. A high proportion of the mothers (75%) held the belief that an injection in a child with high fever would precipitate convulsions or death. The implications of these findings for chemotherapeutic malaria control in holoendemic areas within the context of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy are discussed.
Microheterogeneity of serogroup A (subgroup III) Neisseria meningitidis during an outbreak in northern Ghana
Authors: Gagneux Sébastien , Hodgson Abraham , Ehrhard Ingrid , Morelli Giovanna , Genton Blaise , Smith Tom , Tanner Marcel , Binka Fred , Achtman Mark , Pluschke Gerd
Published: March 2003

Summary During a meningitis outbreak in the eastern subdistrict of the Kassena‐Nankana District of the Upper East Region of Ghana, we analysed cerebrospinal fluid from suspected meningitis cases for the most common causative organisms. In 50 of 92 samples analysed, serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis were detected. The ages of serogroup A N. meningitidis patients ranged from 4 months to 64 years. The case fatality ratio was 20%. Coma or stupor on presentation worsened the prognosis. All serogroup A N. meningitidis isolates recovered revealed the A: 4: P1.9, 20 phenotype characteristic for the subgroup III clonal grouping. No evidence for resistance to penicillin G, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin or tetracycline was found. All strains were resistant to sulphadiazine. Restriction analysis patterns of opa, iga and ingA genes were characteristic for the majority of N. meningitidis serogroup A subgroup III bacteria isolated in Africa after the 1987 epidemic in Mecca. Differences in pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis patterns of NheI and SpeI digested DNA revealed microheterogeneity among the Ghanaian isolates.
Inhibition of glutathione synthesis as a chemotherapeutic strategy for leishmaniasis
Authors: Kapoor Preeti , Sachdev Monika , Madhubala Rentala
Published: March 2003

Summary This study focuses on the use of buthionine sulphoximine (BSO), a γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase inhibitor, on Leishmania donovani growth. The effect of BSO on amastigote multiplication within macrophages showed that 5 m
m BSO decreased infectivity by about 50% and the mean number of amastigotes per 100 infected macrophages by 21%. The mechanism may be that BSO resulted in enhanced nitric oxide (NO) levels within macrophages, probably due to inhibition of GSH content since GSH (10 mm) given after BSO treatment led to a decrease in NO compared to macrophages treated with BSO alone which were preexposed to the Leishmania surface molecule lipophosphoglycan.
Vaccines for the control of HIV/AIDS
Authors: Gotch Frances , Rutebemberwa Alleluiah , Jones Gareth , Imami Nesrina , Gilmour Jill , Kaleebu Pontiano , Whitworth Jimmy
Published: March 2003

Summary This review discusses the feasibility of an HIV vaccine and describes the history, efficacy and potential to succeed of old and new vaccine concepts.
Growth and survival of low birthweight infants from 0 to 9 years in a rural area of Ghana. Comparison of moderately low (1501–2000 g) and very low birthweight (1000–1500 g) infants and a local reference population
Authors: van der Mei J. , Volmer M. , Boersma E. R.
Published: March 2003

Summary This prospective and descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the growth and survival of 105 low birthweight (LBW, 1000–2000 g) infants discharged during a 4‐year period from Agogo Hospital, Ghana, and followed from birth until the age of 4–9 years. Thirty‐two babies were very low birthweight children (VLBW, 1000–1500 g) and 73 (70%) were of moderately low birthweight (MLBW, 1501–2000 g). At the age of 3 years, 15 children (14.2%) had not come for follow‐up; of the remaining 90 children, nine (10%) had died, five during the first 3 months of life. At follow‐up from 4 to 9 years of age, two more children could not be traced and another two had died. Compared to a local reference population and the WHO standard, growth of survivors lagged behind and caught up only slightly during the first 3 years of life. From 3 to 9 years of age, median growth impairment increased, which either suggests impaired growth potential or poor health and inadequate nutrition. This long‐term study confirms that LBW (1000–2000 g) infants, particularly VLBW children, are at high risk.
Use of the recombinant Onchocerca volvulus protein Ov20/OvS1 for the immunodiagnostic differentiation between onchocerciasis and mansonelliasis and for the characterization of hyperreactive onchocerciasis (sowda)
Authors: Mpagi J. L. , Büttner D. W. , Tischendorf F. W. , Erttmann K. D. , Brattig N. W.
Published: March 2003

Summary The protein Ov20/OvS1 was used as antigen in ELISA and Western blot in order to differentiate onchocerciasis from African mansonelliasis and to characterize the hyperreactive form of Onchocerca volvulus infection (sowda). The specificity of the IgG4 Western blot was 98% for the differentiation between persons with onchocerciasis and Mansonella microfilariae (mf) carriers (125 persons with M. perstans and 92 with M. streptocerca), whereas the IgG4 ELISA showed a specificity of 81% in 137 M. perstans mf carriers and 85% in 94 M. streptocerca mf carriers. The sensitivity of Ov20/OvS1 in identifying onchocerciasis using the IgG4 ELISA was 75% for 103 O. volvulus mf carriers with the generalized and 89% for 44 patients with the sowda form of onchocerciasis. IgE antibodies against OvS1 were found in 95% of 39 patients with hyperreactive onchocerciasis but only in 15% of 47 persons with the generalized form. Thus, Ov20/–OvS1 appears a promising candidate antigen for the diagnosis of onchocerciasis and in particular for the detection of the sowda type of disease.
The long‐term reproductive health consequences of female genital cutting in rural Gambia: a community‐based survey
Authors: Morison Linda , Scherf Caroline , Ekpo Gloria , Paine Katie , West Beryl , Coleman Rosalind , Walraven Gijs
Published: March 2003

This paper examines the association between traditional practices of female genital cutting (FGC) and adult women’s reproductive morbidity in rural Gambia. In 1999, we conducted a cross‐sectional community survey of 1348 women aged 15–54 years, to estimate the prevalence of reproductive morbidity on the basis of women’s reports, a gynaecological examination and laboratory analysis of specimens. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to compare the prevalence of each morbidity between cut and uncut women adjusting for possible confounders. A total of 1157 women consented to gynaecological examination and 58% had signs of genital cutting. There was a high level of agreement between reported circumcision status and that found on examination (97% agreement). The majority of operations consisted of clitoridectomy and excision of the labia minora (WHO classification type II) and were performed between the ages of 4 and 7 years. The practice of genital cutting was highly associated with ethnic group for two of the three main ethnic groups, making the effects of ethnic group and cutting difficult to distinguish. Women who had undergone FGC had a significantly higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–2.18] and a substantially higher prevalence of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) [adjusted OR=4.71; 95% CI 3.46–6.42]. The higher prevalence of HSV2 suggests that cut women may be at increased risk of HIV infection. Commonly cited negative consequences of FGC such as damage to the perineum or anus, vulval tumours (such as Bartholin’s cysts and excessive keloid formation), painful sex, infertility, prolapse and other reproductive tract infections (RTIs) were not significantly more common in cut women. The relationship between FGC and long‐term reproductive morbidity remains unclear, especially in settings where type II cutting predominates. Efforts to eradicate the practice should incorporate a human rights approach rather than rely solely on the damaging health consequences.
Measles in suburban Khartoum: an epidemiological and clinical study
Authors: Ibrahim S. A. , Mustafa O. M. , Mukhtar M. M. , Saleh E. A. , El Mubarak H. S. , Abdallah A. , El‐Hassan A. M. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E. , Groen J. , De Swart R. L. , Zijlstra E. E.
Published: March 2003

Clinical and epidemiological data were collected from 187 clinically diagnosed measles patients in Haj Yousif area, suburban Khartoum. Laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis in 141 (75%) of the cases, but demonstrated that in 46 (25%) patients the clinical symptoms were not caused by an acute measles virus (MV) infection. According to their vaccination card, 59% of the laboratory‐confirmed measles cases had been vaccinated for measles. Compared with non‐measles rash disease cases, confirmed measles cases more often had severe illness (P < 0.0001), were dehydrated (P=0.01) at presentation and less likely to recover without complications [OR 0.19 (95% CI 0.09, 0.39)]. There was no difference in death rate (P=0.20). Underweight [weight‐for‐age Z score (WAZ) ≤ −2 SD] was an independent predictor of recovery with complications [OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.2, 0.99)]. Severe measles cases (those who developed diarrhoea, pneumonia, otitis media, encephalitis or haemorrhagic rash) had similar vaccination rates and time intervals since vaccination as uncomplicated measles cases. Although severe measles had lower WAZ‐scores (P=0.004), none of the nutritional parameters studied were predictive of outcome. Mortality was higher in the severe measles group [OR 8.8 (95% CI 1.7, 85.2)]. In 11 of 141 confirmed measles cases serological evidence of a recent infection with another virus was found, most commonly varicella zoster virus and dengue virus; spotted fever and rubella were among the most frequent diagnoses in 17 of 47 cases of the non‐measles cases.
Cotrimoxazole prescribing by dispensing and non‐dispensing doctors: do they differ in rationality?
Authors: Trap Birna , Hansen Ebba H.
Published: March 2003

background  Dispensing doctors (DDs) have been found to prescribe significantly more drugs, more injections and more antibiotics per patient than non‐dispensing doctors (NDDs). However, the rationality of prescription in relation to diagnoses and symptoms has not been studied.

objectives  To identify and assess differences in the rationality of cotrimoxazole prescription by DDs and NDDs evaluated by drug choice and dosage in relation to diagnoses and symptoms.

methods  Cohort study of 28 private sector DDs and 25 NDDs in Zimbabwe, using retrospective data from 688 patient records. Drug choice and dose in relation to the recorded diagnoses and symptom(s) were assessed. A new method was developed and tested to measure rationality in a specific and realistic way. A ‘correctness‐score list’ was developed based on a panel of four evaluators assessing the rationality of cotrimoxazole prescription in relation to diagnoses and symptoms. This list was then used as a reference for the assessment.

results  The two groups of prescribers did not differ significantly with respect to rationality of drug choice. Both DDs and NDDs prescribed cotrimoxazole to patients for diagnoses and symptoms for which cotrimoxazole could not be justified (41.4%vs. 43.5%). DDs compared with NDDs used subcurative doses more often (26.4% of the encounters compared with 11.7%; P = 0.035) and correct doses less frequent (58.0% compared with 72.6%; P = 0.047).

conclusion  The prescription of cotrimoxazole by both DDs and NDDs was widely irrational. They prescribed cotrimoxazole too frequently, and DDs used subcurative doses to a wider extent. By this prescribing practice, both groups, but especially the DDs, contribute to increasing health hazards, cost and risk of developing bacterial resistance. The method for assessing rationality of drug prescribing was found feasible, and it is recommended that it be further tested and developed.
A retrospective study of dysplastic hair follicles and abnormal melanization in dogs with follicular dysplasia syndromes or endocrine skin disease
Authors: Rothstein  , Scott  , Miller JR  , Bagladi
Published: March 2003

A retrospective histopathological study was conducted on skin biopsy specimens from 70 dogs with follicular dysplasia syndromes and 102 dogs with endocrine skin disease. Criteria evaluated included dysplastic hair follicles, dysplastic hair shafts, and irregularities in melanization of the follicular epithelium, pilar canal, hair shaft, and perifollicular areas. Dysplastic hair follicles were found in 76% of the dogs with follicular dysplasia syndromes and 46% of the dogs with endocrine skin disease. There was a significantly higher frequency of dysplastic hair follicles and abnormalities in the melanization of the follicular epithelium, pilar canal, and perifollicular areas in the follicular dysplasia syndromes group. Although dysplastic hair shafts were almost exclusively seen only in specimens from dogs with follicular dysplasia syndromes, unique to the follicular dysplasia syndromes group was the clumping of melanin within hair shafts and the presence of dysplastic hair shafts. Histological criteria other than the mere presence of occasional dysplastic hair follicles must be used to differentiate follicular dysplasia syndromes from endocrine skin disease.
Full‐thickness cutaneous burn in black‐haired skin on the dorsum of the body of a Dalmatian puppy
Authors: Hargis  , Lewis
Published: March 2003

A 10‐week‐old Dalmatian puppy was presented for evaluation of plaques and eschars limited to the black‐haired markings on the dorsum of the body. The plaques and eschars were of acute onset. Histopathologic evaluation revealed epidermal, adnexal, and vascular necrosis, and subepidermal vesiculation consistent with a full‐thickness burn. Because of the history of exposure to direct sunlight, limitation of plaques and eschars to black‐haired dorsal skin, histopathology, and lack of another identifying cause, the lesions were attributed to a thermal burn from sunlight.
Dermatophytosis in show lambs in the United States
Authors: Hullinger  , Cole Jr  , Elvinger  , Stewart
Published: March 2003

A dermatophytosis, called ‘club lamb fungus’ by owners, has been affecting show lambs during the lamb show season. Thirty‐one families of 108 responding to a questionnaire reported at least one case of dermatophytosis, and 15 of those 31 families reported children or owners involved in showing these lambs developing skin lesions consistent with dermatophytosis. In lambs, gross lesions typical of ovine derma‐tophytosis were located on all parts of the body, and consisted of circular areas of matted wool, crusts and discoloration. Lesions appeared either at a single site or were distributed randomly, affecting head, body and extremities. Direct microscopic examination of wool revealed ectothrix, endothrix, and combined endothrix and ectothrix infections. Microsporum gypseum was the only dermatophyte cultured from wool samples collected from affected lambs; however, the presence of endothrix spores suggests that other species may be involved. Arthrospores and fungal hyphae typical of dermatophytes were present in histological sections.
The use of fluoroquinolones in veterinary dermatology
Authors: Ihrke P.J. , Papich M.G. , DeManuelle T.C.
Published: March 2003

The fluoroquinolones are a group of antibiotics with considerable application for use in veterinary dermatology. They are rapidly bactericidal against a wide variety of clinically important organisms includingStaphylococcus intermediusand gram‐negative enteric bacilli by virtue of interference with the supercoiling of bacterial chromosomal material. Their favourable pharmacokinetic features make them applicable in many animal species, and in a range of dose formulations. The only major clinical contraindication is that fluoroquinolones should not be given to young, rapidly growing dogs as they can induce a noninflammatory, erosive arthropathy. For many years the only veterinary‐labelled fluoroquinolone available was enrofloxacin. The selection of a fluoroquinolone has become more complex now that there are more choices available. Orbifloxacin, difloxacin and marbofloxacin now join enrofloxacin on the veterinary market, although not all of these are licensed in every country. The use of fluoroquinolones in dermatology remains controversial. The authors recommend that fluoroquinolones be considered in circumstances where canine pyoderma has been refractory to appropriate ‘first line’ antibiotics. They are most useful in the management of recurrent pyoderma and in chronic, deep pyoderma with extensive scar tissue. In addition, fluouroquinolones frequently are the drugs of choice for canine ear infections caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa.
Isolation of fungal flora from the hair coats of shelter cats in the Pacific coastal USA
Authors: Boyanowski Kimberly J. , Ihrke Peter J. , Moriello Karen A. , Kass Philip H.
Published: March 2003

Two‐hundred shelter cats from the Pacific western coastal USA were sampled in four different geographical regions to determine the fungal organisms most commonly found on the hair coat and the prevalence of these organisms. Data on the cats’ health, age, hair coat length, gender, and geographical location were collected and analysed. The overall prevalence of dermatophytosis was 5.5% (11 of 200 cats), withMicrosporum canisisolated in 90.9% (10 of 11) of the samples from positive cats. This was a lower isolation rate or prevalence of dermatophytes than previous studies conducted on shelter cats in other regions of the USA. Ten of 11 of the cats were lesion free (either subclinical infection or mechanical carriage). Cats in the Los Angeles, California area (P = 0.001) and neutered male cats (P = 0.047) had a higher prevalence of a positive dermatophyte culture. The numbers and types of saprophytes isolated from cats in this study were found to be consistent with previous feline reports in the USA and with an equine study previously conducted in this area.
An idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persian cats
Authors: Bond  , Curtis  , Ferguson  , Mason  , Rest
Published: March 2003

The clinical and histopathological features of 13 Persian cats which presented with chronic skin disease primarily affecting the face are described. Lesions were characterized by black material adherent to the skin and hair, accompanied by erythema and variable degrees of excoriation. Concurrent ceruminous otitis externa was observed in 7 cases. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens showed marked acanthosis with crusting, hydropic degeneration and dyskeratotic basal epithelial cells, a mixed diffuse superficial inflammatory infiltrate and sebaceous hyperplasia. Malassezia pachydermatis yeasts and various bacteria were isolated from the lesions in some of the cats but in no case was antimicrobial therapy curative. The response to glucocorticoids was variable and often poor. No satisfactory therapeutic regimen could be identified and the cause of the disorder is unknown although a genetic basis is possible.
Therapy, control and prevention of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats
Authors: Carlotti Didier N. , Jacobs Dennis E.
Published: March 2003

This article reviews contemporary concepts underlying the design of control strategies for the management of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats. The limitations of palliative symptomatic approaches are noted, as is the fundamental requirement to differentiate simple pulicosis from true hypersensitivity. In the latter case, eradication of fleas from the affected animal and its surroundings has to be an essential aim. The different biological properties offered by modern chemotherapy are defined and the range of techniques for applying active compounds to the animal and its environment described. Factors for consideration when formulating control strategies and selecting chemotherapeutic agents are discussed in the context of the complexities of the flea life‐cycle, the host‐parasite relationship and client concerns.
The histological lesions of Trichophyton mentagrophytes var erinacei infection in dogs
Authors: Fairley R.A.
Published: March 2003

A retrospective study of the histological features of four cases of canine Trichophyton menta‐grophytes var erinacei infection is reported. In all four dogs the initial lesions affected the dorsal muzzle and in two dogs the lesions spread to more distant sites on the body. Clinically, the lesions were characterized by scaling, crusting and hair loss. Histologically, the main lesions were characterized by acanthosis, epidermal, ostial and infundibular hyperkeratosis, serocellular crusting, mural folliculitis and furunculosis. Fungal hyphae were usually sparse and often difficult to see in haematoxylin and eosin stained sections. When visible they were seen in the epidermal, ostial and infundibular scale and, less frequently, within hair shafts.
Comparison of three monoclonal and three polyclonal antibodies in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of canine autoimmune skin diseases
Authors: Pérez José , Arce Cristina , Moreno Angela , Mozos Elena , Rodríguez Francisco , Llanes Diego
Published: March 2003

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and two anticanine IgG and one anticanine IgM polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of canine autoimmune skin diseases. Skin biopsies from 11 cases of pemphigus (7 foliaceus, 3 vulgaris and 1 erythematosus), 12 cases of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and 12 cases of chronic hyperplasic dermatitis were used. The CA4E7 mAb (IgG1 + IgG2) showed similar sensitivity, but higher specificity and lower background than the two anti‐IgG pAbs for the immunohistochemical diagnosis of pemphigus and DLE. The CA4F1 mAb (IgG2) and CA3H1 mAb (IgG2) showed moderate and low interepithelial reactivity, respectively, in autoimmune skin diseases, but strong staining of the cytoplasm of plasma cells of the inflammatory infiltrates. These results suggest that the CA4E7 mAb may be valuable in the immunohistochemical diagnosis of such disorders.
Failure of extracts from Malassezia pachydermatis to stimulate canine keratinocyte proliferation in vitro
Authors: Chen Tai‐An , Halliwell Richard E. W. , Hill Peter B.
Published: March 2003

Abstract Epidermal hyperplasia is one of the major histopathological features seen in dogs with Malassezia dermatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extracts and culture supernatants from Malassezia pachydermatis on the proliferation of canine keratinocytes. Keratinocyte cultures were established from normal dog skin, and cell monolayers were co‐cultured with Malassezia extracts (prepared either with or without protease inhibitors) and supernatants derived from organisms grown in liquid culture. The proliferation of keratinocytes was measured using a colourimetric assay. Neither the culture supernatants nor the Malassezia extracts had significant effects on the proliferation rate of canine keratinocytes, regardless of whether protease inhibitors were present or not. The results indicate that the epidermal hyperplasia seen in Malassezia dermatitis is unlikely to be caused directly by secretion of products from the organism.
The influence of rice plant type on the effect of weed competition on Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima
Authors: JOHNSON  , DINGKUHN  , JONES  , MAHAMANE
Published: March 2003

Detailed studies were conducted on three rice cultivars – IG10, an Oryza glaberrima Steudel; Moroberekan, a traditional Oryza sativa L.; and IDSA6, an improved O. sativa L. – in conditions with and without competition from weeds. IG10 suffered less from competition with weeds and suppressed weeds better than the O. sativa cultivars. IG10 accumulated more biomass, produced more tillers, established a higher leaf area index, had higher specific leaf area and, in the earlier stages of growth, partitioned more of its biomass to leaves than the O. sativa cultivars. Without competition from weeds, grain yields did not significantly differ between the cultivars, but IG10 produced higher yields in competition with weeds. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the development of rice plants with good weed suppression characteristics.
Localized origins of herbicide resistance in Alopecurus myosuroides
Authors: CAVAN  , BISS  , MOSS
Published: March 2003

The process of evolution of resistance to acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides was investigated in four distinct patches of Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. (black‐grass) that occur within adjacent fields on a cereal farm in Nottinghamshire, UK. In one field, there was a `main' patch containing 96% resistant plants and two `satellite' patches containing ≈2.9% and 4.4% resistant plants, and in an adjacent field another patch contained 25% resistant plants. Genome fingerprinting by simple sequence repeat (SSR)‐anchored polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyse variation at 30 genetic loci in at least 20 resistant and 20 sensitive individual plants from each patch, from additional resistant populations from Essex and Lincolnshire, and from a sensitive reference population. Banding patterns were found to be highly repeatable. Each patch contained a high level of genetic diversity, regardless of its resistance status, and there was evidence for genetic differences between the patches (Gst = 0.14, Nei's distances up to 0.26). There was no evidence that resistance had spread from the `main' patch to the others, as resistant and sensitive plants in the same patch were more closely related on average than were resistant plants from neighbouring patches. The most likely explanations of this distribution, and their implications, are discussed.
The seasonal response of Lantana camara to selected herbicides
Authors: HANNAN‐JONES
Published: March 2003

At 7‐ to 8‐week intervals between September 1990 and February 1993, blocks of Lantana camara L. cv. `Helidon White' were treated with four herbicides (fluroxypyr, metsulfuron‐methyl, glyphosate and dichlorprop) as an overall high‐volume spray at the recommended label rates. Mortality for each treatment was recorded and correlated with climatic data (maximum, minimum air and soil temperature, rainfall, day length and humidity) recorded for the site. Fluroxypyr killed more than 90% of the L. camara if at least 35 mm of rain was received in the preceding 6 weeks and provided that the average minimum daily temperature for the week before the application was above 15 °C. Similarly, glyphosate caused more than 80% mortality when the rainfall was greater than 60 mm in the preceding 6 weeks, with a similar temperature requirement to fluroxypyr. In contrast, dichlorprop and metsulfuron‐methyl caused maximum kills of 35–80% and 83% respectively. This occurred in the summer or early autumn (at times when fluroxypyr and glyphosate also gave maximum kills), but times of maximum kill for dichlorprop and metsulfuron‐methyl did not correlate with any specific climatic characteristics. Current field practice is to apply all herbicides in autumn (March–May) when L. camara is growing actively. The consequence of this is that, if some plants are not killed, they can go undetected until the next growing season. However, this study shows that fluroxypyr and glyphosate can be sprayed earlier in the year, thus allowing for follow‐up sprays later in the same growing season to kill any regrowth.
Plant sensitivity to atrazine and chlorsulfuron residues in a soil‐free system
Authors: Jettner R J , Walker S R , Churchett J D , Blamey F P C , Adkins S W , Bell K
Published: March 2003

The sensitivity of 22 major crops, pastures and weeds from the north‐east grain region of Australia to atrazine and chlorsulfuron residues was determined in a glasshouse using a soil‐free bioassay system. A logistic equation was fitted to the seedling fresh weights as a function of the logarithm of herbicide concentration by non‐linear regression and used to calculate the doses for 10%, 30% and 50% inhibition of seedling growth (ID10, ID30 and ID50). The ID50 for atrazine ranged from 0.03 to 0.04 mg a.i. L–1 for Salvia reflexa Hornem. and barley to 1.47 mg a.i. L–1 for sorghum. The ID50 for chlorsulfuron ranged from 0.19 to 0.21 μg a.i. L–1 for lucerne and snail medic to 102 μg a.i. L–1 for wheat. Based on ID50 values measured, the predicted responses of each species to a range of concentrations of atrazine and chlorsulfuron were classified into four categories ranging from no damage to severe damage. These sensitivity data will assist in planning cropping sequences in soils previously treated with atrazine or chlorsulfuron.
A flexible sigmoidal model relating crop yield to weed relative leaf cover and its comparison with nested models
Authors: Ngouajio M , Leroux G D , Lemieux C
Published: March 2003

A flexible sigmoidal model relating crop yield to relative leaf cover of weed was derived. The model was shown to embody a hyperbolic, a symmetric sigmoidal and an asymmetric logistic model as special cases. Data from field experiments conducted in 1996 and 1997 on maize in competition with various weed infestation conditions were used to validate the model. A high accuracy was observed for yield description, and the four parameters of the model were estimated easily using a non‐linear regression procedure. When compared with other (nested and restricted) models, a better fit of the data was obtained than with the symmetric sigmoidal and the asymmetric logistic models. Rejection of the null hypothesis of hyperbolic yield response was observed in only 1 out of 16 cases, meaning that both the hyperbolic and the flexible sigmoidal models have comparable yield‐descriptive capacities. The increased complexity because of the extra (fourth) parameter in the flexible sigmoidal model may favour the use of the hyperbolic model by most investigators. Failure of the sigmoidal model to outperform the hyperbolic model was primarily due to the weak sigmoidal yield response (sigmoidal response parameter δ close to unity) and the relatively small sample sizes. However, when the model is to be embedded in a decision‐support computer program, larger sample sizes are required and the flexible sigmoidal model may be more appropriate in such situations. The high flexibility of the model may allow the detection of special cases, and thus minimize the risk of a wrong decision.
Dry matter production and partitioning of Chenopodium album in contrasting competitive environments
Authors: Röhrig M , Stützel H
Published: March 2003

Simple models were developed to quantitatively describe (a) dry matter production and (b) the effects of competition on dry matter partitioning of Chenopodium album L. Data on total biomass and its allocation to roots, stems and leaves were obtained from field experiments with C. album planted at two densities in pure and mixed stands with either cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis var. botrytis) or faba beans (Vicia faba L.). After germination, C. album produced biomass rapidly; weeds planted at low density accumulated 20–30% less dry matter than plants growing at a 2.5‐fold higher density per m2. A close correlation between the transmission of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and leaf area index was found. Biomass production was linearly related to cumulative PAR intercepted, but a seasonal variation of the radiation‐use efficiency could not entirely be explained. The root:shoot ratio was constant, whereas the level of competitive stress changed the distribution pattern between stems and leaves. With increasing competition in the cauliflower experiments, C. album allocated relatively more biomass to stems than to leaves; this was less evident in mixtures with faba beans. In field vegetable production with an abundant water and nutrient supply, the growth processes of C. album may be described quantitatively using simple functional relationships.
Weed shoot morphology effects on competitiveness for light in direct‐seeded rice
Authors: Caton B P , Mortimer A M , Foin T C , Hill J E , Gibson K D , Fischer A J
Published: March 2003

The effects of weed shoot morphology on competitiveness for light in rice (Oryza sativa L.) have not been well described quantitatively and are difficult to study empirically. A rice:weed model was used to analyse the effects of weed leaf area densities (LAD; m2 m–3), leaf angles (as leaf light extinction coefficients, kleaf) and maximum heights (Hm, m) on growth and competition with rice. Weed morphologies were hypothetical but empirically based, as follows: LADs were skewed to the bottom or conical, kleaf values varied from 0.2 (erectophile) to 0.8 (planophile), and Hm values were 0.5HR, 1HR and 1.25HR, where HR was rice maximum height. Other parameters were equal to those of rice. Growth and competitiveness were evaluated using mature seed dry weights (g m–2). Short weeds and weeds with conical LADs were weakly competitive, regardless of other traits. For other weed types, interference with rice was positively related to Hm, LAD skewness and more planophile leaves. All three traits were critical determinants of weed interference but no single morphological trait guaranteed competitiveness. All else being equal, weeds with highly skewed LADs produced the most seed dry weight. Planophile leaves were particularly beneficial for short weeds, giving over five times more seed dry weight than erectophile leaves.
Striga asiatica seed conditioning and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate oxidase activity
Authors: Mohamed A H , Ejeta G , Housley T L
Published: March 2003

Conditioned seeds of Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze release ethylene, which elicits germination. We investigated the activity of 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) oxidase and respiration during conditioning. Seeds incubated in vivo with ACC, the substrate for ACC oxidase, produced negligible ethylene at the beginning of conditioning or if they were dormant (i.e. would not germinate after conditioning and treatment with stimulant). Non‐dormant seeds produced 3000 ηL of ethylene/600 seeds/24 h after 12 days of conditioning. In vitro ACC oxidase activity at day 0 of conditioning produced 500 ηL of ethylene/μg protein/h and 8000 ηL of ethylene/μg protein/h after 12 days of conditioning. Incubation of seeds in strigol before protein extraction did not enhance enzyme activity. Seeds released 4000 μL/L CO2 in the first 24 h of conditioning, with the rate increasing to 15 000 μL/L/24 h on day 4 and then remaining roughly unchanged. Maximum in vitro activity of ACC oxidase required ACC, catalase, O2, Fe2+, ascorbate and CO2. In vivo activity of ACC oxidase required ACC and/or germination stimulant(s), suggesting that stimulants may be involved in providing substrates for the ACC oxidase. No difference was observed in the separation of extracted proteins, which suggests that ACC oxidase is activated during conditioning, perhaps as a result of changes in co‐factor concentration. Application of these findings to Striga control is discussed.