Abstracts from other journals

The aim of the present study was to clinically evaluate fissure sealants on the occlusal fissures and buccal pits of permanent first and second molars after 20 and 15 years, respectively. The population consisted of 72 children, each of whom had had their four first molars sealed between 1977 and 1980. At the annual examinations, all caries-free, newly erupted second molars were sealed. When sealant was applied to the second molars, the first molars were checked and sealant was reapplied to those that had deficient sealants. At the follow-up, when the subjects were 26–27 years of age, 27 in the original group had moved from the community. Thus, the present result is based on 45 subjects. One hundred and fifty-three sealed first molars and 161 sealed second molars were available for inspection. At the follow-up examination of the first molars 20 years after sealant had been applied, 65% showed complete retention, 22% partial retention without caries, and 1306 caries or restoration in the occlusal fissures or buccal pits. At the 15-year follow-up of the second molars, the corresponding figures were 65%, 30% and 5%, respectively. Of the restored or carious molars, significantly more were found in the mandible than in the maxilla ( P  < 0.001). This longitudinal study showed that pit and fissure sealants, applied during childhood, have a long-lasting, caries-preventive effect.     

Comparison of patient reported outcomes after Triathlon? and Kinemax Plus prostheses

INTRODUCTION

The Triathlon^® (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, US) total knee replacement was designed to improve patient function and survivorship. The aim of this study was to determine whether the Triathlon^® prosthesis produces better patient reported outcomes than a previous design by the same manufacturer, the Kinemax Plus.

METHODS

The outcome of 233 knees of patients with a mean age of 68 years (range: 40–80 years) who received the Kinemax Plus prosthesis were compared with the outcomes of 220 knees of patients with a mean age of 70 years (range: 42–90 years) who received the Triathlon^® prosthesis. Data were collected via postal questionnaire prior to surgery as well as at 8–12 weeks and at 1 year following surgery. Validated questionnaires were used including the WOMAC^® (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) pain and function scales, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score quality of life scale and the self-administered patient satisfaction scale.

RESULTS

This study found that patients who had the Triathlon^® prosthesis had significantly better pain relief (p<0.0001), function (p=0.028), knee related quality of life (p<0.0001) and satisfaction (p=0.0003) at three months after surgery than those who received the Kinemax Plus prosthesis. In addition, knee related quality of life (p=0.002) and satisfaction (p=0.021) were significantly higher at one year after surgery in Triathlon^® patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that return to function and reduction in pain may occur more quickly in patients with a Triathlon^® prosthesis than in those with the Kinemax Plus.     

Multilocus genotyping of Theileria parva isolates associated with a live vaccination trial in Kenya provides evidence for transmission of immunizing parasites into local tick and cattle populations

The live infection and treatment (ITM) vaccination procedure using the trivalent Muguga cocktail is increasingly being used to control East Coast fever, with potential implications for Theileria parva population genetic structure in the field. Transmission of the Kiambu V T. parva component to unvaccinated cattle has previously been described in Uganda. We monitored the T. parva carrier state in vaccinated and control animals on a farm in West Kenya where an ITM stabilate derived from the Kenyan T. parva Marikebuni stock was evaluated for field efficacy. A nested PCR‐based Marikebuni‐specific marker identified a carrier state in nine of ten vaccinated animals, detectable for a period of two years. We used 22 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) markers to determine multilocus genotypes (MLGs) of 19 T. parva schizont‐infected lymphocyte isolates derived from cattle and field ticks. Two isolates from unimmunized cattle were identical to the Marikebuni vaccination stock. Two cattle isolates were identical to a Muguga cocktail component Kiambu V. Seven isolates from ticks exhibited MLGs that were identical to the Serengeti/Muguga vaccine stocks. Six cattle and two tick‐derived stocks exhibited unique MLGs. The data strongly suggest transmission of immunizing genotypes, from Marikebuni vaccine‐induced carrier cattle to unimmunized cattle. It is possible that genotypes similar to those in the Muguga cocktail are present in the field in Western Kenya. An alternative hypothesis is that these parasites may have originated from vaccine trial sites in Eastern Uganda. If correct, this suggests that T. parva stocks used for immunization can potentially be disseminated 125 km beyond the immediate vaccination site. Regardless of their origin, the data provide evidence that genotypes similar to those in the Muguga cocktail are circulating in the field in East Africa, alleviating concerns about dissemination of ‘alien’ T. parva germplasm through live vaccination.     

Chagas' disease diagnosis: evaluation of several tests in blood bank screening

Blood transfusion is one of the principal routes of transmission of Chagas' disease, a major endemic disease in Latin America. Methods for blood screening are not accurate and may yield false results that lead to high social and economic costs. This study compares two methods of diagnosing Chagas' disease (indirect immunofluorescence and hemagglutination) and several enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with regard to specificity and sensitivity, by using human sera with known serologic and parasitologic characteristics, as well as samples with discrepant results on conventional serologic tests. An ELISA using recombinant antigens showed no cross-reactivity with sera that were positive for other diseases. All evaluated ELISAs performed well, and their use may lead to a reduction of more than 50 percent in the number of discordant sera. Further improvements are needed in view of the complexity of the serologic diagnosis of Chagas' disease.