Teaching of major communicable diseases in Sudanese medical schools: a critical look

This descriptive, cross-sectional study of Sudanese medical schools aimed to describe and analyse the proportion of their curricula currently allocated for teaching of communicable diseases and to assess the teaching methods and student assessment tools. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from heads of departments and students in 20 of the 27 medical faculties and from ministry of health staff at federal and state levels. Curriculum designs ranged from traditional to innovative, community-oriented programmes. Problems regarding student evaluations were identified. Major limitations included shortages of staff, reference materials and teaching aids. Poor knowledge of students about different aspects of diseases endemic in Sudan was found. Recommendations include curriculum development, staff recruitment and training, and improvement of teaching and training of students

Liver and kidney functions in cattle vaccinated with tissue culture rinderpest vaccine

This study was conducted to determine the effect of rinderpest tissue culture vaccine on the hepatorenal functions of cross-breed Friesian calves. 8 calves [8 - 14 months of age and weighing 150 - 180 kg] were vaccinated with tissue culture rinderpest vaccine [10 4-B TCID 50/ml/calf] and blood samples were collected before vaccination and at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days post-vaccination. The results revealed that the calves became immunized against rinderpest disease where the neutralizing antibodies reached its peak [2.52 +/- 0.02 log 10/ml] by 21 days. The calves showed increase in total protein at 21 days and globulin at 14 and 21 days, while albumin was decreased at 14 and 21 days. SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin, creatinine and blood-urea-nitrogen did not change. It is concluded that the tissue culture rinderpest vaccine has no effect on liver and kidney functions and it produces a good level of immunity