Status of Foot‐and‐mouth Disease in India

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in India and causes severe economic loss. Status of FMD in the country for five fiscal years is presented. Outbreaks were more in number in 2007–2008 than 2010–2011. Three serotypes of FMD virus (O, A and Asia1) are prevalent. Serotype O was responsible for 80% of the confirmed outbreaks/cases, whereas Asia1 and A caused 12% and 8%, respectively. Geographical region‐wise assessment indicated varying prevalence rate in different regions viz; 43% in Eastern region, 31.5% in Southern region, 11.6% in North‐eastern region, 5% Central region, 4.4% Western region and 4% in Northern region. Highest number of outbreaks/cases was recorded in the month of September and lowest in June. Emergence and re‐emergence of different genotypes/lineages within the serotypes were evident in real‐time investigation carried out from time to time. Continues antigenic divergence in serotype A resulted in change in the vaccine strain in 2009. As on date, all genetic diversity within the serotypes is well tolerated by the vaccine strains. Unrestricted animal movements in the country play a major role in the spread of FMD.     

Outpatient Care: Planning a Satellite Laboratory for Ambulatory Patient Care

Peripheral neuropathy is a common consequence of diabetes that often results in loss of protective sensation. Early identification of this loss is critical to minimize secondary complications. The authors’ purpose was to assess the behavior patterns of physical therapists as to their opinions and behaviors related to sensory testing for individuals with diabetes. A questionnaire was sent to physical therapists across the United States with the following results: a high level of agreement concerning the benefits of sensory testing, but with a far less agreement as to the actual performance of sensory testing by those same physical therapists.     

The association between body mass index and musculoskeletal foot disorders: a systematic review

The primary aim of this systematic review was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and foot disorders. The secondary aim was to investigate whether weight loss is effective for reducing foot pain. Five electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid AMED, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library) and reference lists from relevant papers were searched in April 2011. Twenty‐five papers that reported on the association between BMI and musculoskeletal foot disorders met our inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The evidence indicates: (i) a strong association between increased BMI and non‐specific foot pain; and (ii) a strong association between increased BMI and chronic plantar heel pain in a non‐athletic population. The evidence is inconclusive regarding the relationship between BMI and the following specific disorders of the foot; hallux valgus, tendonitis, osteoarthritis and flat foot. With respect to our second aim, there were only two prospective cohort studies that reported a reduction in foot symptoms following weight loss surgery. In summary, increased BMI is strongly associated with non‐specific foot pain in the general population and chronic plantar heel pain in a non‐athletic population. However, there is currently limited evidence to support weight loss to reduce foot pain.     

Sudden Foot Drop Caused by Foraminal Gas Pseudocyst

A foraminal gas pseudocyst is a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy. The association with a sudden foot drop has not been previously reported. Here, a 67-year-old woman with sudden foot drop on the left side is reported. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging identified a foraminal gas containing lesion compressing the left L5 root at the L5-S1 foramen. The foraminal gas containing lesion compressing the L5 ganglion was successfully removed by the posterior approach. The histological diagnosis was a gas pseudocyst. This unique case of surgically proven gas pseudocyst indicates that it should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with sudden foot drop.     

α2b干扰素联合利巴韦林气雾剂治疗手足口病

目的探讨α2b干扰素联合利巴韦林气雾剂治疗手足口病的疗效和安全性。方法将80例手足口病患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组各40例。治疗组采用肌注α2b干扰素加利巴韦林气雾剂喷雾吸入治疗,对照组采用静脉滴注利巴韦林再联合蒙脱石散涂布口腔,然后对两组的治疗效果进行比较。结果治疗组的有效率是87.5%,对照组的有效率是62.5%,两组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组在退热时间、口腔溃疡愈合时间及进食时间方面比对照组有明显的优势。结论α2b干扰素联合利巴韦林气雾剂治疗手足口病有显著的疗效,并且安全可靠,没有明显不良反应。