Normal Clinical Course Research Articles

Strawberry disease in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Abstract. Strawberry disease is a subchronic, non–debilitating, and non–fatal inflammatory skin disease of rainbow trout that has been recognized for the past 25 years. Morbidity ranges up to 80% and the disease affects fishes from 15cm in length to brood stock size. Epizootiological data indicate that strawberry disease usually appears, first in the autumn and reaches peak incidence during the following winter and spring. Data also indicate that the disease is found only in certain trout farms in the western and Pacific north–western regions of the United States. Although the cause of strawberry disease is unknown, the normal clinical course of 8 weeks can be reduced by oral treatment with oxytetracycline. Clinical signs include appearance of bright red, raised, circumscribed, ulcerated and indurated lesions in the skin that usually range up to 3 cm or more in diameter. Microscopically, the disease is characterized as a subchronic, focal, non–suppurative dermatitis with ulceration and extensive infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells.

Transient Hypergastrinemia of 2 Years' Duration in a Young Pediatric Patient

A 24‐month‐old female child experienced watery diarrhea, growth failure, and abdominal pain from age 3 months. Hypergastrinemia, hypochlorhydria, and fundic gastritis were documented. A secretin stimulation test was normal but protein meal stimulation revealed an abnormal serum gastrin response. Antral biopsies revealed G cell hyperplasia. Chronic treatment with antacids and an anticholinergic agent was unsuccessful. Spontaneous recovery occurred at age 29 months. Gastrin stimulation tests, gastric acid secretory tests, antral mucosal biopsies, and multiple basal serum gastrin levels were repeated. All were normal. Follow‐up of greater than 3 years has documented a completely normal clinical and laboratory course.

Effects of antilymphocyte serum and splenectomy on resistance to Babesia microti infection in hamsters

Since the immune mechanisms active in response to babesiosis have not been clearly defined, the effects of antilymphocyte serum (ALS) and splenectomy on B. microti infections were assessed in immune and susceptible hamsters by degree of parasitemia, clinical course, and humoral antibody formation. In immune animals treated with ALS or splenectomy, latent infections became patent, but parasitemias during exacerbation peaked at lower levels than was the case with primary parasitemias. However, despite similar parasitemias and equivalent humoral antibody induction in both groups, seven of nine ALS-treated animals died, whereas only one of seven splenectomized hamsters died. All hamsters treated with ALS before and during primary infection died with persistent peak parasitemias and low serum titers against B. microti. Animals subjected to splenectomy before initial inoculation had an essentially normal clinical course for B. microti infection except that low levels of parasitemia persisted for many weeks and two of eight died. Splenectomized hamsters had normal humoral responses. Although cellular responses are mainly responsible for protection in babesiosis, humoral antibodies may alter the course of this disease. In view of the rather ubiquitous occurrence of Babesia spp. organisms in wild and domestic animals, this parasitosis may be more common in humans than is presently recognized, especially in immunosuppressed or splenectomized individuals and in persons with otherwise reduced cellular immune responses.

Urinary tract infections and uterine activity: Part I. Effect of Escherichia coli endotoxins on uterine motility in vitro

T H E problem of pyelitis in general and pyelitis during pregnancy in particular is occupying the attention of many. As yet the method by which bacteria reach the kidneys and the increased incidence of pyelitis in certain conditions and age groups are not completely understood. 3. 4 Clinical diagnosis of this entity on the basis of chills, fever, flank pain, and pyuria is relatively simple, but it is apparent that many cases do not run the normal clinical course and escape our attention. Autopsy material places the incidence of pyelitis at 20 per cent as compared with 1 per cent on the basis of clinical observation.17 The role of asymptomatic bacteriuria has not been investigated until recently although the condition was described in 1881 by Roberts.12 The studies of Kass7, s on the clinical correlations of bacteriuria particularly during pregnancy have stimulated workers in the field. Using a statistical formula making straight voided specimens suitable foi analysis, he has made several basic contribu-

Pediatric aspects of the placental dysfunction syndrome in postmaturity.

Prolonged gestation with a normal placenta presents no pediatric problem unless delivery is abnormal or prolonged. Prolonged gestation in the presence of placental abnormality is likely to result in either fetal death in utero or severe postnatal symptoms of anoxic injury to the respiratory and nervous systems. Mild (stage 1) placental dysfunction is marked by the finding of loss of vernix, desquamation, white skin, long nails, abundant hair, alert facies, loss of subcutaneous tissue, and an appearance of malnutrition; in the author's experience there has been no mortality in this group, but one case of severe injury to the nervous system. More severe placental dysfunction (stage 2) is marked by the finding of meconium in the amniotic fluid, with staining of the contiguous structures and signs of fetal hypoxia. Permanent damage to the central nervous system was frequent in this group; one-third died, and only one-third had a normal clinical course. The most severe degrees (stage 3) of placental dysfunction are marked by a change of pigmentation from green to yellow and maceration of the skin; intrauterine mortality is high because of severe damage to nervous and respiratory systems. As many as 5% of all pregnancies end on or after day 301. Fortunately, the vast majority of prolonged pregnancies have adequately functioning placentas.