Attributable risk of Capillaria species in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) / Risco atribuível de espécies Capillaria em pombos domésticos (Columba livia domestica)

Fecal samples were collected from 120 domestic pigeons to determine the Attributable risk of Capillaria spp. The Capillaria spp. was observed in 64 out of 120 (51%) pigeons (70 males and 50 females) under this study. A total of 64 (39 males and 25 females) were found naturally infected with Capillaria spp. with infection percentage of 51% and 50% in males and females respectively. Qualitative examinations include the direct microscopy and faecal floatation while quantitative examination includes McMaster technique (worms load was calculated per gram of the faeces). Month wise Attributable risk showed that eggs of the worms were found to be abundant in the month of July during the present study (60% to 73%) because of high humidity. Very high and very low temperature is not suitable for the proper development of the eggs. Qualitative and quantitative examination revealed that Capillaria spp. was more prevalent in males (51%) than females (50%) but overall there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the male and female because both individuals invest equal amount of energy in search of food and incubating the eggs. Different breeds of pigeons gave different Attributable risk in different months during the study. Groups of pigeons from different locations showed different variable Attributable risk. Areas with high humidity were more suitable for the development of eggs, which is the reason why higher Attributable risk was observed in Shahdara (75%) area of Lahore, Pakistan.(AU)

Amostras de fezes foram coletadas de 120 pombos domésticos para determinar os fatores de risco de Capillaria spp. Capillaria spp. foi observado em 64 de 120 (51%) pombos (70 machos e 50 fêmeas) neste estudo. Um total de 64 (39 machos e 25 fêmeas) foram naturalmente infectados com Capillaria spp. sendo 51% em machos e 50% em fêmeas. Exames qualitativos incluem microscopia direta e suspensão de fezes, e exames quantitativos incluem a técnica McMaster (vermes são calculados por grama de fezes). O risco por mês demonstrou que ovos dos vermes foram encontrados em abundância no mês de Julho durante o presente estudo (60% a 73%) por causa da alta umidade. Temperaturas muito altas e muito baixas não são adequadas para o desenvolvimento adequado de ovos. O exame qualitativo e quantitativo revelou que Capillaria spp. era mais prevalente em machos (51%) que em fêmeas (50%), mas no geral não houve diferença significativa (P>0.05) entre machos e fêmeas porque ambos investem a mesma energia na busca por alimento e incubação de ovos. Diferentes raças de pombos tem diferentes riscos em diferentes meses durante o estudo. Grupos de pombos de diferentes locais demonstraram risco diferenciado. Áreas com alta umidade eram mais propensas para o desenvolvimento de ovos, o motivo pelo qual maior risco foi observado em shahdara (75%).(AU)

Correlation among monovalent cations [Na[+], K[+]] and serum rennin in essential hypertensive subjects

To evaluate the changes in serum level of Monovalent cations [Na[+] and K[+]] in hypertensive patients in addition to observe correlation of cations with serum Renin in such patients. Study was conducted at the Biochemistry Department of Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi under the supervision of Khemomal A. Karira since June 2006 July 2007. A total of seventy-five subjects were included, out of which forty patients were suffering from essential hypertension and thirty-five were normal healthy subjects. The serum level of monovalent cations was measured by flame photometry, rennin by RIA, glucose, urea and creatinine by chemical methods. The results of our study show that there is definite cat ions derangement in essential hypertension; serum sodium is significantly high [p<0.001] while potassium is significantly low [p<0.001] in hypertensives. Similarly these cations showed significant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure; sodium had significant positive correlation [r-value0.463 and 0.426] while potassium had significant negative correlation [r-value-0.781 and - 0.766]. The glucose, urea and creatinine show non-significant results when compared to normotensives. In addition rennin has positive correlation [r value 0.485 and 0.467] with systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively. Our findings suggest that cat ions and rennin should be measured in hypertensives. Present study was performed on a small sample size and provides a baseline data of cations and rennin in hypertensive subjects, so we recommend that same type of study should be carried out on large sample size to assess the importance of above parameters of hypertensives