Observations of scrotal mass, liver mass, haemolytic jaundice, and central vestibular disorder in Brugia pahangi-infected dogs

@#Brugia pahangi is known to infect humans and dogs. Its associated symptoms and complications, however, have not been fully understood in dogs. Herein, we reported the observations of B. pahangi infections in dogs with scrotal mass, liver mass, haemolytic jaundice, and central vestibular disorder.

Intelligent Wireless Patient Monitoring and Tracking System (Using Sensor Network and Wireless Communication).

Aim of our work is to monitor the human body temperature, blood pressure (BP), Pulse Rate and ECG and tracking the patient location. The human body temperature, BP, Pulse Rate and ECG are detected in the working environment; this can be sensed by using respective sensors. The sensed information is send to the PIC16F877 microcontroller through signal conditioning circuit in the patient unit. A desired amount of sensor value is set and if it is exceeded preliminary steps should be taken by the indicating by buzzer.The sensor information will be transmitted from the patient unit to the main controller unit with the help of Zigbee communication system which is connected with the microcontrollers in the both units. The main controller unit will send those sensed data as well as the location of that patient by the help of GPS Module to the observer/doctor. The observer/doctor can receive the SMS sent by GSM module and further decision can be taken. The message is sent to a mobile phone using Global system mobile (GSM) Modem. MAX232 was a driver between microcontroller and modem.

Experimental Brugia malayi infections in the rhesus monkey.

Twenty-eight rhesus monkeys in 3 groups were exposed to single (Group I), double (Group II), and multiple (Group III) inoculations with B. malayi infective larvae. Infections were monitored by microfilarial and blood counts, selected biochemical tests, IFA responses, and records of body temperature and lymphadenopathy before and/or after treatment with DEC. As a whole, the highest microfilaraemia levels were observed in Group II and lowest in Group III monkeys. Eosinophilia was a common occurrence but reached the highest mean levels in Group III. Intermittent fevers and lymph node enlargements were observed in all groups of monkeys and the occurrence of these appeared to be correlated. No definite pattern of antibody production was discernable among groups, but an inverse relationship existed between microfilaraemia and detectable microfilarial antibodies. Treatment with DEC produced a microfilaraemia-taxic effect within the initial half hour and responses to treatment varied according to individuals. Although post-treatment reinfection appeared to cause lymphoid responses and tissue eosinophilia, no substantial resistance to reinfection was observed.

Experimental attempts to induce ocular infection in cats with subperiodic Brugia malayi.

In an attempt to determine whether the finding of human ocular lesions due to B. malayi was due to the site of entry of the infective larvae, cats were infected via ocular instillation, subconjunctival inoculation, subcutaneous inoculation around and infective mosquito bites over the eyes. Although no conjunctival lesion was seen patent infections were produced via ocular instillation, subconjunctival and subcutaneous inoculation of infective larvae. Adult worms were also recovered from periorbital tissues. Adult worms were localized mainly in the lymphatic system of the head and neck regions of the cat. The results show that the conjunctival lesions seen in humans could be due to the site of bite of the mosquito and thus the entry of the infective larvae.

Experimental infection of Rattus sabanus and Rattus muelleri with subperiodic Brugia malayi.

R. sabanus and R. muelleri are very common in the lowland forests of Malaysia. In nature they are infected with Breinlia sp. and D. ramachandrani. In an attempt to determine whether they are also susceptible to subperiodic B. malayi and thereby being potential reservoirs of infection of the disease, 24 R. muelleri and 17 R. sabanus were experimentally infected with the parasite. Results show that although they can support the full development of the parasite, they are poor hosts. This confirms the observation that in Malaysia natural infection of Rattus spp. with the parasite has not been seen. These rats therefore are probably not important in the zoonotic transmission of subperiodic B. malayi in Malaysia.