Drug resistance pattern and outcome of treatment in recurrent episodes of tuberculosis

Patterns of drug resistance in recurrent cases of tuberculosis may be different than in those without a history of treatment. In this retrospective study, the drug resistance pattern and outcome of treatment with DOTS category I [CAT I] regimen was compared in 63 recurrent cases and 872 new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis from April 2003 to January 2008 at the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Resistance to isoniazid and ethambutol was significantly more common in recurrent cases, but there were no differences in rates of resistance to rifampin, pyrazinamide, streptomycin or the rate of multi-drug resistant strains. Resistance to streptomycin was the most common. No significant differences in treatment outcome and deaths were found between the 2 groups. Due to the low frequency of multi-drug resistance in the recurrent cases, a CAT I regimen may be suitable for empirical therapy before drug sensitivity results become available

Concurrent atrioventricular block, sinus arrest and pneumothorax in a dog secondary to vehicle accident

In human several kinds of electrocardiographic findings have been reported in association with pneumothorax such as decreased and/or alternating QRS amplitude [electrical alternans]. However, electrocardiographic changes concurrent with pneumothorax have rarely been discussed in veterinary literature. A 3-year-old male crossbreed dog was presented with a history of car accident. Thoracic auscultation revealed decreased lung sounds. Heart sounds were also markedly muffled bilaterally. An electrocardiogram revealed sinus arrest in association with first degree atrioventricular block. Pneumothorax was the main finding in thoracic radiographs. Seven days after initial admission, thoracic radiographs revealed that pnuemothorax was resolved and all electrocardiographic abnormalities returned to normal limits

[Evaluation of biocompatibility implantation of the Persian Gulf's coral in femoral defect of rabbit]

Coral from different areas has been used for bone graft substitute yet the assessment of the Persian Gulf coral is left unnoticed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Persian Gulf coral as a bone graft substitution in repairing bone defects. Unilateral drill hole defect] 4 mm X 1.5 cm[was created in greater trochanter of femur in 12 rabbits and implanted with coral in experimental group. The drill hole remained empty in control group. Radiographs were obtained immediately after surgery and at 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 weeks post-implantation. Later, the rabbits were sacrificed at the end of 9th week for histopathological studies. Radiographs taken at 9th week showed that the implants were being resorbed and the empty spaces were reduced in size by new bone formation. Histopathological studies on samples collected from the site of implantation were indicative of enormous multinuclear giant cells infiltration at 9th week while progressive degeneration of coral and regeneration of new bone at the site of defect was obvious, simultaneously. New bone replacement almost covered 40% of the areas at the site of artificial defect. There was no rejection of implants among the experimental group. Our data showed that processed coral has the potential to be regarded as a bone substitute for reconstructive bone surgery and could be used as a suitable scaffolding material

Diagnosis and management of hypoglycaemia due to pancreatic insulin-secreting neoplasia in a German shepherd dog

A 7-year-old castrated male German shepherd dog was presented with a 10-day history of intermittent lethargy, weakness and episodic seizures. Laboratory findings after admission revealed hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia. Provisional diagnosis of insulinoma was made based on the presence of concurrent hypoglycaemia and elevated insulin level. In exploratory laparotomy a small nodular mass was detected on the pancreas. Other abdominal organs were normal in gross inspection. The mass was removed surgically. Histopathology of the excised pancreatic nodule confirmed the diagnosis of insulinoma. The dog became seizure free following the surgical operation

Radiological evaluation of rabbit femoral defect healing in Caspian seashell pellets

Autograft is the best bone graft substitute, however, it has some limitations, so allograft with synthetic or natural materials has been advised to use for bone graft. In this study, Iranian Caspian seashell was used as a biocompatible natural material for radiological evaluation. Lodgment of seashell in drilled defects of femur was compared in the treatment group [rabbit models] with natural healing process of cancelluos bone in the control group. Handling characteristics, osteoconductivity, resisting against bone forces and absorption, were evaluated by radiological study. The study was performed in faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Karaj. Twelve New Zealand rabbits were divided into two equal groups of six [treatment and control groups]. In the treatment group unilateral drilled defect was induced in the greater trochanter of femur. Each defect was implanted by the pieces of seashell. In the control group, similar bone defects was also produced to study natural bone healing process. Radiographs were taken from rabbits in 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 63 days post-operation. After 9 weeks, radiographic findings in the treatment group were included; a range of 10-15% reduction of bone density and progressive new bone formation in the presented bone defects. Results of radiographic evaluation in the control group, indicated more than 50% of bone healing was developed in the cylindrical defects of femoral greater trochanter. [...] Due to high structural density of seashell, which makes it tolerable against local biomechanical bone stress, there was no post-surgical complication [such as trochanteric fracture] in the treatment group. Seashell is a natural source of calcium which is a valuable substitute for bone grafts in medical and veterinary orthopedic surgeries

Pattern of pulmonary infections among intravenous drug abusers

Considering the increasing number of intravenous drug users [IDUs] and their frequent admissions to infectious disease wards, better understanding of their infections seems necessary. The purpose of this research was to study the epidemiology, prevalence and nature of pulmonary infections in admitted IDUs in these wards at Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. A descriptive study was performed on 126 admitted IDUs in infectious wards of the Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from May 2002 to Jan. 2004 and we classified their infections. Pulmonary infections were the most common infectious disease category after skin and soft tissue infections.. In 34 of 126 IDUs, pulmonary infection was the definite diagnosis which was investigated in 4 groups: pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleurisy, and lung abscess. Pneumonia was the second most common infection. The most prevalent causes of fever were pulmonary infections. Twenty seven percent [8 cases, 9 admissions] of pulmonary infections were smear positive TB. Frequency of HBS Ag, Anti HCV and HIV infection was 20%, 92% and 67% respectively. Mean duration of admission was 17 days and in average 6 antibiotics were used per patient. Mortality of pulmonary infections was 30% whereas the overall mortality was 17.7%. We found pulmonary infections to be the second most frequent cause of infection in IDUs with a high mortality rate. The high frequency of TB and concurrence with HIV was also noted

[Experimental vesicouereteral reflux induction in dogs]

Objective: To induce experimental vesicoureteral reflux in dogs

Design: Experimental study

Animals: A total of 16 mixed- breed Persian dogs with diffrent sex

Procedure: All sixteen dogs evaluated for absence of congenital or acquired vesicoureteral reflux before study by cystography. Vesicoureteral reflux induction was attempted in healthy animals by ureteral unroofing [3-5 mm] without suture, unroofing [3-5 mm] with catheter as a cutting guide and suturing by silk, unroofing [3-5 mm] with catheter and suturing by nylon and unroofing [5-7 mm] with catheter and suturing by nylon. After ten days the reflux assessment was confirmed by cystography

Statistical analysis: Descriptive study

Results: Vesico ureteral induced refluxes in all four groups were variable [incision length, catheter as guide, Number and kind of suture material]but refluxes induced with 5-7 mm incision length and nylon suturing was excellent as compared with other three groups

Clinical implications: Cutting method with catheter and nylon suture material used for vesicoureteral reflux induction in dogs, were preferred with special attention to be made to the length of cutting and the number of suture needed