Observations on the recent epizootic of bovine ephemeral fever in Saudi Arabia

Observations of the epizootic of bovine ephemeral fever which occurred in Saudi Arabia during 1996 are presented. The investigations included the collection of epidemiological data from affected farms and the testing of sera for antibodies to the virus. The authors report a mean morbidity rate of 50% and a mean case fatality rate of 0.3%. Of the infected cattle, 4% were affected by recumbency, the majority of these recovered (89%). The clinical signs observed in affected cattle were uniform throughout the region concerned. The features of the outbreak, obtained through field investigations, were considered in relation to the ecological and meteorological conditions which were prevalent at the time. The outbreak occurred during the summer months (May to October) in the central and eastern regions of Saudi Arabia, with the initial infection reported at the Al-Ahsa oasis. Farms which were subsequently affected were all reported to possess areas of stagnant water suitable for the reproduction of the vectors of the disease (Culicoides spp. and mosquitoes). To conclude, the authors discuss precautions to prevent future outbreaks of bovine ephemeral fever in Saudi Arabia.     

Amphetamine-Induced Dopamine Release and Neurocognitive Function in Treatment-Naive Adults with ADHD

Converging evidence from clinical, preclinical, neuroimaging, and genetic research implicates dopamine neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The in vivo neuroreceptor imaging evidence also suggests alterations in the dopamine system in ADHD; however, the nature and behavioral significance of those have not yet been established. Here, we investigated striatal dopaminergic function in ADHD using [¹¹C]raclopride PET with a d-amphetamine challenge. We also examined the relationship of striatal dopamine responses to ADHD symptoms and neurocognitive function. A total of 15 treatment-free, noncomorbid adult males with ADHD (age: 29.87±8.65) and 18 healthy male controls (age: 25.44±6.77) underwent two PET scans: one following a lactose placebo and the other following d-amphetamine (0.3 mg/kg, p.o.), administered double blind and in random order counterbalanced across groups. In a separate session without a drug, participants performed a battery of neurocognitive tests. Relative to the healthy controls, the ADHD patients, as a group, showed greater d-amphetamine-induced decreases in striatal [¹¹C]raclopride binding and performed more poorly on measures of response inhibition. Across groups, a greater magnitude of d-amphetamine-induced change in [¹¹C]raclopride binding potential was associated with poorer performance on measures of response inhibition and ADHD symptoms. Our findings suggest an augmented striatal dopaminergic response in treatment-naive ADHD. Though in contrast to results of a previous study, this finding appears consistent with a model proposing exaggerated phasic dopamine release in ADHD. A susceptibility to increased phasic dopamine responsivity may contribute to such characteristics of ADHD as poor inhibition and impulsivity.     

Contagious ecthyma associated with myiasis in sheep

A severe outbreak of contagious ecthyma (orf) is described in sheep in Saudi Arabia. In some of the affected sheep, the condition was highly aggravated by myiasis which appeared to have been favoured by the abundance of flies during the hot season. The outbreak is discussed in relation to the epidemiology of the disease in Saudi Arabia.     

Epizootiological aspects of peste des petits ruminants and rinderpest in sheep and goats in Saudi Arabia

Epizootiological aspects of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and rinderpest in sheep and goats in Saudi Arabia are examined. The presence of PPR has been suspected on occasions, but virus isolation has been successful only once. Information regarding PPR and rinderpest in sheep and goats in Saudi Arabia is scarce. The only survey conducted indicated that neither disease is endemic in the country.     

Torsion of an ectopic liver in a young child

A large ectopic liver nodule connected to the greater omentum had undergone infarction and separation because of torsion of its connecting stalk and was the cause of acute abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes in a young female child. At laparotomy for a suspected perforated appendicitis, a hemorrhagic peritoneal fluid was found, together with an intraperitoneal solid mass lying freely in the right iliac fossa. The definitive diagnosis was obtained by histopathology. This is the first known such reported case.     

A retrospective study of Rift Valley fever in Saudi Arabia

A retrospective study was undertaken to examine domestic ruminant sera for Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus antibodies. The sera were collected between 1992 and 1995 from cattle, sheep and goats from various locations in Saudi Arabia. The standard capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system was employed to detect specific RVF antibodies in the animals and the results indicated an absence of RVF antibodies. This finding confirms the assumption that Saudi Arabia was free from RVF up until at least 1995 and most probably before the 2000 epidemic. The finding also confirms that RVF was not endemic in Saudi Arabia.