Results of the influenza virus surveillance in wild birds in Western part of Mongolia

ObjectiveTo present results of virological study of wild birds inhabiting Western Mongolia.MethodsOver a period of 2003–2008, we isolated 13 influenza A viruses: H1N1, H3N6, H13N8 and H4N6 subtypes. We did not isolate any H5N1 subtype, that still cause epizooty in wild birds and poultry.ResultsWe revealed taxonomic and ecological heterogeneity of the birds involved in maintenance of circulation of influenza viruses in the given territory. Influenza viruses were isolated from birds of 6 orders; among them there are species preferring water and semi-aquatic biotopes, one species preferring dry plain region, and also one species which can inhabit both dry and water biotopes.ConclusionsRepresentatives of all main orders of Western Mongolia avifauna are involved in support of influenza A virus circulation, highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses were registered in Mongolia thus it's necessary to continue permanent influenza virus surveillance in wild birds' populations.     

Pattern and antibiogram of urinary tract infection at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence, pathogenicity, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of urinary tract infections at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.MethodsSamples from 400 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of urinary tract infection including 250 non pregnant females and 150 males were used for this study. They were distributed into two groups: children aged 2 to 17 (Group A) and adults aged 18 to 75 (Group B). The standard wire loop and agar diffusion technique were employed for culture and susceptibility testing, respectively. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS, version 14.Results30.0% of Group A and 41.0% of Group B had significant bacteriuria with 66.7% and 79.3% as females, respectively. The commonest isolates cultured were Escherichia coli (32.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.2%), and Klebsiella spp. (16.4%). About 76.6% of isolates were sensitive to the fluorinated quinolones, 31.2% to the aminoglycosides, and 22.7% to the urinary antiseptic, nitrofurantoin. The isolates were non-sensitive to tetracycline (93.8%), cotrimoxazole (92.2%), and nalidixic acid (86.7%). Most isolates showed non-uniform sensitivity patterns to the cephaloporins (cefuroxime and ceftazidime). Pseudomonas spp. isolates were generally resistant to the fluorinated quinolones.ConclusionThough the fluorinated quinolones are still largely effective for empirical therapy in urinary tract infections, the importance of prior sensitivity testing in checking the emergence of bacterial antibiotic resistance can not be overemphasized.     

Comparison of the fertilizing capability of spermatozoa from ejaculates, epididymal aspirates and testicular biopsies using intracytoplasmic sperm injection

A prospective study was carried out to compare the fertilizing capability and pregnancy outcome following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using spermatozoa obtained from ejaculates, or surgically from epididymis or seminiferous tubules. A total of 77 ICSI cycles (one per patient) was included. In all, 28 patients had severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, 19 patients had obstructive azoospermia and 30 patients had non-obstructive azoospermia. The main outcome measures were fertilization rate per injected metaphase II oocyte and the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transferred back to the female recipients. In patients with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, the fertilization and pregnancy rates were 79 and 25 %. In patients with obstructive azoospermia, for whom epididymal spermatozoa were used, these were 75 and 28%, and in the non-obstructive group for which testicular spermatozoa were used for injection, they were 69 and 21% respectively. These rates were not significantly different in the three groups (P = 0.85 and P = 0.14 respectively), suggesting that spermatozoa from the ejaculates and epididymal or testicular biopsies are able to fertilize equally by using ICSI. Live birth per embryo transfer was significantly reduced in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia compared to the other two groups. The high abortion rate (50%) in the group in which testicular spermatozoa were used raises doubts about the developmental competence of such embryos.      

Hospital treatment -is it affordable? A structured cost analysis of vaginal deliveries and planned caesarean sections

Introduction

The analysis of cost effectiveness in hospitals is as difficult as treating the patients properly. We are yet not able to answer the simple question of what costs are caused by a certain diagnosis and its treatment during an average hospital stay.

Methods

To answer some issues of the global problem of cost effectiveness during hospitalisation, we analysed the costs and the cost structure of a normal obstetrical hospital stay during an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and a planned caesarean section. Cost data was collected and summarized from the patients file, the hospital''s computer system gathering all cost centres, known material expenses and expenses of non obstetrical medical services.

Results

For vaginal deliveries/planned caesareans we can calculate with a surplus of about 83 €/1432 €. About 45% of the summarized costs are calculated on a reliable database.

Discussion

The introduction of the DRG based clearing system in Germany has aggravated the discussion on cost effectiveness. Our meticulous work-up of expenses excluded personal precautionary costs and personnel costs of documentation because no tools are described to depict such costs. If we would add these costs to the known expenses of our study, we strongly suspect that hospital treatment of vaginal deliveries or planned caesarean sections is not cost effective.     

Granulomatous mastitis: a report of seven cases

The clinical history and histological features of seven cases of granulomatous mastitis are presented. The lesion occurs in young parous women as a tender extra-areolar breast lump. Histologically, non-caseating discrete granulomas are present, confined to breast lobules with, in three cases, coalescence of the granulomas and microabscess formation. Pathogenesis of the changes is discussed. It is thought that granulomatous mastitis is an entity morphologically distinct from duct ectasia/plasma cell mastitis and the commoner forms of granulomatous breast diseases.     

Bacterial colonization of the larynx and trachea in healthy children

Fifty healthy children were included in the study; tracheal and laryngeal aspirations were performed after oral endotracheal intubation during minor surgery. The aspirates were evaluated and examined in the same way as aspirates from children suspected of pneumonia; 31 samples were accepted for the final analysis. After culturing, specimens from 30 children exhibited growth of potential pathogenic bacteria either from the larynx, the trachea or both. Prior to culture, bacteria were seen by microscopy in 24 samples from 30 children. These results indicate that the majority of healthy children carry potential pathogenic bacteria, not only in the larynx but also to a certain extent in the trachea. We conclude that aspirates from the larynx and the trachea are of limited value in the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia in children.     

Xanthone additives for blood storage that maintain its potential for oxygen delivery. I. 2-Hydroxyethoxy- and 2-ethoxy-6-(5-tetrazoyl) xanthones in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) blood

Two xanthones, 2-hydroxyethoxy-6-(5-tetrazoyl) (BW A440C) and 2-ethoxy- 6-(5-tetraozyl) (BW A827C), are members of a chemical series tested in vitro as potential additives to citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) medium for blood storage. P50 was maintained in the presence of these compounds during 42 days' storage by a partial maintenance of 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3 DPG) and by a direct effect on hemoglobin previously reported for BW A827C. Red cell 2,3 DPG levels for BW A440C (n = 5), BW A827C (n = 5), and control (n = 6), respectively, were 3.38 +/− 0.47, 3.44 +/− 0.25, and 1.20 +/− 0.10 mM +/− SEM on day 7; 1.16 +/− 0.13, 1.52 +/− 0.37, and 0.16 +/− 0.02 mM on day 21; and 0.67 +/− 0.09, 0.61 +/− 0.08, and 0.06 +/− 0.006 mM on day 42. Red cell adenine triphosphate levels at the same time intervals were 1.84 +/− 0.09, 1.46 +/− 0.18, and 2.11 +/− 0.04 mM; 2.10 +/− 0.05, 2.07 +/− 0.17, and 2.13 +/− 0.05 mM; and 1.42 +/− 0.13, 1.37 +/− 0.13, and 1.38 +/− 0.06 mM, respectively. The degree of hemolysis was less with the addition of the compounds, and the methemoglobin formation, plasma Na+ and K+, and lactate production were unaffected by the compounds.     

Nasal IgA response in wheezy infants

It is unknown why some infants wheeze during upper respiratory tract infections. One possibility is that secretory IgA, which has a major role in mucosal defence against viral infection, might be deficient in wheezy infants. The nasal IgA response to upper respiratory tract infection in 32 wheezy infants (median age 5.8 months) was compared with nine siblings (median age 2.6 years) who had nasal symptoms only. Nasal lavage was performed during infections and on follow up when free from symptoms, using inulin as a marker of dilution to determine absolute concentrations of IgA in the nasal secretions. The two groups showed a similar increase in total IgA and total protein levels during infection, but secretory IgA concentrations were unchanged. This study shows that wheezy infants have a normal nasal IgA response to infection and that the increase in total IgA during early infection is due to plasma exudation rather than increased production of secretory IgA.     

Close mapping of the focal non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) locus associated with oesophageal cancer (TOC)

Focal non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK or palmoplantar ectodermal dysplasia type III) is associated with oesophageal cancer in three families: two large pedigrees located in Liverpool, UK and in the midwestern American states and one smaller family from Germany. In these families, the PPK is inherited as autosomal dominant and has a late onset, usually manifesting between 7 and 8 years of age. The disease is characterised by thickening of the pressure areas of the soles, but is not restricted to the feet and also presents with oral leukokeratosis and follicular hyperkeratosis. The disease locus [previously termed the "tylosis oesophageal cancer gene' (TOC) locus] has been mapped to 17q23-qter by linkage analysis. This region is located telomeric to the keratin 16 gene, in which mutations have been identified in focal PPK families who show no increased cancer risk. We describe the close mapping of this locus to the interval between AFMb054zf9 and D17S1603 using haplotype analysis of additional Genethon markers in the region and show that although the American family is unlikely to be related to either of the other two, the UK and German pedigrees may share a common descent. This work provides a basis for positional cloning and candidate gene analysis in order to identify a gene that may be involved in familial oesophageal cancer.