In situ hybridization analysis for herpes simplex virus nucleic acids in Alzheimer disease

Histological sections of brain from patients showing evidence of advanced pathology of Alzheimer disease (AD) were examined for the presence of herpes simplex type-1 (HSV-1) nucleic acids by a sensitive in-situ hybridization technique. Samples from neurologically normal patients were examined in parallel. Sensitivity of the assay was verified by the detection of HSV-1 nucleic acids in neurons of trigeminal ganglia taken from cases of AD and normal controls. This indicated that the hybridization reaction was sufficiently sensitive to detect latent HSV-1 infections. Positive hybridization in the brain was only detected in a confirmed case of herpes simplex virus encephalitis. These results appear to confirm previous reports that HSV-1 infection is not directly involved in the pathology associated with AD.     

Peripheral pulmonary artery aneurysm in a patient with limited respiratory reserve: controlled resection using cardiopulmonary bypass

Pulmonary artery aneurysms are rare lesions for which operative management is not frequently undertaken. When operation is indicated, central lesions involving the pulmonary trunk, right main pulmonary artery, or left main pulmonary artery are repaired using cardiopulmonary bypass. Peripheral aneurysms in segmental intrapulmonary arteries have been managed most frequently by lobectomy, but occasionally by aneurysmectomy and pulmonary arterial repair. We used cardiopulmonary bypass for peripheral pulmonary aneurysmectomy in a patient with limited respiratory reserve because he had undergone prior contralateral bilobectomy; this allowed controlled resection while preserving a maximal amount of pulmonary parenchyma.     

Toxocariasis: a serological survey of blood donors in the Australian Capital Territory together with observations on the risks of infection

The sera from 660 healthy blood donors from Canberra were tested for antibodies to Toxocara canis by the ELISA test. The results were compared with those from patients with suspected or confirmed visceral larva migrans or ocular toxocariasis. Over 7% of Canberra sera showed elevated levels of antibody reacting with T. canis antigen. Sera from patients resident in Australia with other helminth parasites did not cross-react with T. canis antigen in our tests. However, studies of sera collected in several tropical countries with other parasitic infection, show that cross-reactions with other parasites are possible. The use of purified glycoprotein antigen does not alter the possibility of cross-reaction. Observations and experiments show that people in Canberra may be exposed to the infective eggs of T. canis.