Fever as the presenting complaint of travellers returning from the tropics

We investigated prospectively the cause of fever in patientsrequiring hospitalization after returning from the tropics.All consecutive admissions (n=195) with oral temperature >37.0°Cat the time of admission were enrolled. Final diagnosis as recordedon the discharge summary by the attending physician and resultsof any relevant laboratory or radiological investigations wererecorded on standard proforma. Malaria accounted for 42% ofadmissions; two patients had returned to Britain more than 6months before presentation. The second largest group was assumedto have a non-specific viral infection (25%). Cosmopolitan infections(urinary tract infection, community-acquired pneumonia, streptococcalsore throat, etc.) accounted for 9%. Coincidental infections(schistosomiasis, filariasis, intestinal helminths) were foundin 16%. Serology was positive for HIV infection in 3%. The mostuseful investigation was a malaria film, which was positivein 45% of cases in which it was performed. The combination ofthrombocytopaenia (platelet count <100 x 10⁹) and hyperbilirubinaemia(bilirubin > 18 IU/ml) were useful predictive markers ofmalaria: all 23 patients with both abnormalities had positivemalaria films. Malaria must be excluded in any febrile patientreturning from the tropics. In the absence of a positive malariafilm, the combination of a low platelet count and raised bilirubinmay suggest the need for an empirical course of therapy.     

Giardia muris infection in mice with concurrent graft-versus-host reaction

The effects of concurrent graft-versus-host reaction (GvHR) on the course of Giardia infection in CBA x BALB/c F1 mice have been examined, to test the hypothesis that T-cell-mediated immunity, in the form of a local DTH reaction, alters the host-parasite relationship in favour of the host by changing the physical environment of the parasite. GvHR did not enhance immunity, indeed mice infected with Giardia at a late stage of GvHR had significantly higher faecal cyst excretion and prolongation of the plateau phase of infection, indicating a degree of immunodeficiency.     

Laryngotracheal stenosis: a serious complication of percutaneous tracheostomy

Tracheostomy in patients requiring prolonged artificial ventilation in intensive care is increasingly being performed by a percutaneous dilatational technique, in preference to the standard surgical method. Since its introduction numerous series have reported favourably on its general safety in the short-term, but there have been few reports of longer term follow-up of patients. We present four cases of laryngotracheal stenosis, a previously unreported complication associated with the technique, and discuss the relevance of these to the future practice of percutaneous tracheostomy.     

An improved low-formaldehyde embalming fluid to preserve cadavers for anatomy teaching

The desired properties required for successful embalming of cadavers for gross anatomy teaching include: (1) good long-term structural preservation of organs and tissues with minimal shrinkage or distortion; (2) prevention of over-hardening, while maintaining flexibility and suppleness of internal organs; (3) prevention of desiccation; (4) prevention of fungal or bacterial growth and spread within a specific cadaver and to other cadavers in the dissection room; (5) reduction of potential biohazards (spread of infection to dissection personnel and students); (6) reduction of environmental chemical hazards (especially from formaldehyde and phenol) in order to comply with increasingly severe health and safety regulations and a new awareness of possible dangers of these chemicals in the workplace; and (7) retention of colour of tissues and organs while minimising oxidation effects that result in 'browning'.     

Adult worm‐specific IgE/IgG4 balance is associated with low infection levels of Schistosoma mansoni in an endemic area

Field studies have suggested an immune‐mediated mechanism associated with resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infection. Overall, levels of specific IgE have been correlated with resistance to infection, whereas levels of IgG4 have been associated with susceptibility. This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of soluble adult worm antigen preparation (SWAP)‐specific IgE and IgG4 in relation to current infection in a large casuistic of individuals living in an endemic area of schistosomiasis in Bahia, Brazil. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 37·7% and the mean parasite burden was 55·4 (0–2100) epg/faeces. There was no significant difference in the levels of SWAP‐specific IgE in individuals with different parasite burden, whereas high producers of parasite‐specific IgG4 presented higher parasite burden when compared to low IgG4 producers. Additionally, S. mansoni parasite load was positively correlated with the levels of specific IgG4 or total IgE. No significant correlation was observed between parasite burden and SWAP‐specific IgE. Nevertheless, SWAP‐specific IgE/IgG4 ratio was higher in uninfected or lightly infected individuals (1–99 epg/faeces) than in heavily infected ones (≥400 epg/feces). These findings highlight the important role of IgE/IgG4 ratio in the resistance to infection, which could be useful for further studies in schistosomiasis vaccine candidates.     

Laughter‐Induced Left Bundle Branch Block

Laughter‐Induced LBBB. We present the case of a patient with ischemic heart disease and intermittent left bundle branch block, reproducibly induced by laughter. Following treatment of ischemia with successful deployment of a drug‐eluting stent, no further episodes of inducible LBBB were seen. Transient ischemia, exacerbated by elevated intrathoracic pressure during laughter, may have contributed to onset of this phenomenon. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23 pp. 1136‐1138, October 2012)