Rapid assessment of Schistosoma mansoni: the validity, applicability and cost-effectiveness of the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling method in Uganda

Rapid and accurate identification of communities at highest risk of morbidity from schistosomiasis is key for sustainable control. Although school questionnaires can effectively and inexpensively identify communities with a high prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium, parasitological screening remains the preferred option for S. mansoni. To help reduce screening costs, we investigated the validity of Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) in classifying schools according to categories of S. mansoni prevalence in Uganda, and explored its applicability and cost-effectiveness. First, we evaluated several sampling plans using computer simulation and then field tested one sampling plan in 34 schools in Uganda. Finally, cost-effectiveness of different screening and control strategies (including mass treatment without prior screening) was determined, and sensitivity analysis undertaken to assess the effect of infection levels and treatment costs. In identifying schools with prevalences > or =50%, computer simulations showed that LQAS had high levels of sensitivity and specificity (>90%) at sample sizes <20. The method also provides an ability to classify communities into three prevalence categories. Field testing showed that LQAS where 15 children were sampled had excellent diagnostic performance (sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 96.4%, positive predictive value: 85.7% and negative predictive value: 92.3%). Screening using LQAS was more cost-effective than mass treating all schools (US$218 vs. US$482/high prevalence school treated). Threshold analysis indicated that parasitological screening and mass treatment would become equivalent for settings where prevalence > or =50% in 75% of schools and for treatment costs of US$0.19 per schoolchild. We conclude that, in Uganda, LQAS provides a rapid, valid and cost-effective method for guiding decision makers in allocating finite resources for the control of schistosomiasis.     

Occurrennce and impact of community-acquired and nosocomial rotavirus infections — a hospital-based study over 10 y

The need for a rotavirus vaccine in any particular country depends primarily on the number of hospitalized cases. Since only limited data are available for Germany, we undertook a retrospective hospital-based analysis in order to gather further information. From 1987 through 1996, a total of 3618 inpatients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis (ICD 9). In 892 (25%) of them the causative organism wasa rotavirus. During the same period, 1886 (out of 8383; 22%) stool speciment tested in the hospital laboratory were obtained from rotavirus-positive inpatients. In 49.2% the infection was community-acquired, and in the remainder of nosocomial origin. Infants under 4 months of age(n=709; 38%) predominated among both the nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Premature neonates made up 26% of the nosocomial, but only 2% of the community-acquired cases of diarrhoea. The winter peak (January) was most pronounced in the age group 4-12 months, but in those more than 1 y old the peak came a month later. The median hospitalization time for community-acquired cases was 4 d (mean 5.9 d).The mortality was 0.1%. Rotavirus infection must therefore be regarded as a considerable burden, particularly with regard to infants and young children. Furthermore, the morbidity due to nosocomial infection with the rotavirus, analysed here in a long-term observational study, is unexpectedly high. □ Hospital-based study, nosocomial infection, rotavirus     

Selective Fourier transform localization

We have introduced the selective Fourier transform technique for spectral localization. This technique allows the acquisition of a high-resolution spectrum from a selectable location with control over the shape and size of the spatial response function. The shape and size of the spatial response are defined during data acquisition and the location is selectable through processing after the data acquisition is complete. The technique uses pulsed-field-gradient phase encoding to define the spatial coordinates. In this paper the theoretical basis of the selective Fourier transform technique is developed and experimental results are presented, including comparisons of spectral localization using either the selective Fourier transform method or conventional multidimensional Fourier transform chemical-shift imaging.     

Three-dimensional imaging of acetabular trauma

Computed tomography (CT) scanning is widely used in evaluation of acetabular fractures. Three-dimensional (3D) images of the pelvis can be created from CT scan data. This article reports two studies, each employing one type of 3D imaging in acetabular trauma cases. The first was a study of 21 patients utilizing surface-rendered 3D images, the second, a study of 19 patients using volume-rendered 3D images. Both types of 3D images were clinically helpful and can be used in lieu of conventional plain films as a supplement to CT examination. Advantages of volume-rendered images are described.     

Cerebral blood flow relationships associated with a difficult tone recognition task in trained normal volunteers

Tone recognition is partially subserved by neural activity in the right frontal and primary auditory cortices. First we determined the brain areas associated with tone perception and recognition. This study then examined how regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in these and other brain regions correlates with the behavioral characteristics of a difficult tone recognition task. rCBF changes were assessed using H2(15)O positron emission tomography. Subtraction procedures were used to localize significant change regions and correlational analyses were applied to determine how response times (RT) predicted rCBF patterns. Twelve trained normal volunteers were studied in three conditions: REST, sensory motor control (SMC) and decision (DEC). The SMC-REST contrast revealed bilateral activation of primary auditory cortices, cerebellum and bilateral inferior frontal gyri. DEC-SMC produced significant clusters in the right middle and inferior frontal gyri, insula and claustrum; the anterior cingulate gyrus and supplementary motor area; the left insula/claustrum; and the left cerebellum. Correlational analyses, RT versus rCBF from DEC scans, showed a positive correlation in right inferior and middle frontal cortex; rCBF in bilateral auditory cortices and cerebellum exhibited significant negative correlations with RT These changes suggest that neural activity in the right frontal, superior temporal and cerebellar regions shifts back and forth in magnitude depending on whether tone recognition RT is relatively fast or slow, during a difficult, accurate assessment.      

Hemostatic complications in renal disorders of the young

This review focuses on the hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications sometimes associated with the most common renal disorders in children. A Medline search of the literature was conducted from 1966 to January 1995, using combinations of key words appropriate for each disorder. Additional references were located through the bibliographies of the publications and recent journals were searched independently. The most common renal disorders with hemostatic complications in children were: renal vein thrombosis (268 children in 80 publications), hemolytic uremic syndrome (473 children in 29 publications), nephrotic syndrome (4,158 children in 51 publications), renal transplantation (3,976 children in 14 publications), glomerulonephritis (20 publications). The age distribution, clinical presentation, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of the affected children were analyzed for each disorder. Children with inherited pre-thrombotic disorders usually do not present during childhood unless there is a secondary risk factor. Similarly, most children with renal disease do not develop thromboembolic complications. Therefore, when a child with a renal disorder develops a thromboembolic event, evaluation for an inherited pre-thrombotic disorder should be seriously considered. Guidelines for the use of heparin and warfarin in these children (both therapeutically and prophylactically) are given. At this time, the risk/benefit of thrombolytic therapy in children is not known and a general recommendation for thrombolytic therapy cannot be made.     

Determinants of vancomycin clearance by continuous venovenous hemofiltration and continuous venovenous hemodialysis

The clearance of vancomycin is significantly reduced in patients with acute, as well as, chronic renal failure. Although multiple-dosage regimen adjustment techniques have been proposed for these patients, there is little quantitative data to guide the individualization of vancomycin therapy in acute renal failure patients who are receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). To determine appropriate vancomycin dosing strategies for patients receiving continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) and continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD), we performed controlled clearance studies in five stable hemodialysis patients with three hemofilters: an acrylonitrile copolymer 0.6 m2 (AN69), polymethylmethacrylate 2.1 m2 (PMMA), and polysulfone 0.65 m2 (PS). Patients received 500 mg of vancomycin intravenously at least 12 hours before the start of the clearance study. The concentration of vancomycin in multiple plasma and dialysate/ultrafiltrate samples was determined by EMIT (Syva, Palo Alto, CA). The diffusional clearance and sieving coefficient (SC) of vancomycin were compared by a mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with filter and blood (Q(B)), dialysate inflow (Q(DI)), or ultrafiltration rate (Q(UF)) as the main effects and patient as a random effect. Vancomycin was moderately protein bound in these patients; free fraction ranged from 49% to 83%. The SCs of the three filters were similar and significantly correlated with the free fraction of vancomycin (P = 0.01; r2 = 0.465). Significant linear relationships were observed between the diffusional clearance of vancomycin and Q(DI) for all three filters: AN69 (slope = 0.482; r2 = 0.880); PMMA (slope = 0.853; r2 = 0.966); and PS (slope = 0.658; r2 = 0.887). The slope of this relationship for the PMMA filter was significantly greater than that of the AN69 and PS filters. The clearance of vancomycin, urea, and creatinine, however, was essentially constant at all Q(B)s for all three filters. Thus, the clearance of vancomycin was not membrane dependent during CVVH. However, during CVVHD, membrane dependence of vancomycin clearance was noted at a Q(DI) greater than 16.7 mL/min; vancomycin clearance with PMMA at a Q(DI) of 25 mL/min was 66% and 43% greater than that with the AN69 and PS filters, respectively. CVVH (62% to 262%) and CVVHD (90% to 540%) can significantly augment the clearance of vancomycin in acute renal failure patients. Dosing strategies for individualization of vancomycin therapy in patients receiving CVVH and CVVHD are proposed.     

Heavier molecular weight ocular viscoelastic devices and timing of post-operative review following cataract surgery

Background  

To assess the safety of abandoning the next day post-operative review in preference for assessment only 2 hours post-surgery for both phacoemulsification and extracapsular surgery with heavier molecular weight ocular viscoelastic devices (OVD).