Survey of canine tick-borne diseases in Lábrea, Brazilian Amazon: ‘accidental’ findings of Dirofilaria immitis infection / Pesquisa de agentes transmitidos por carrapatos em cães de Lábrea, Amazonas: achados “acidentais” de Dirofilaria immitis

Blood samples were collected from 99 domestic dogs from the urban and rural areas of the Lábrea municipality, state of Amazonas, Brazil. Canine serum samples were tested by immunofluorescence assay against Rickettsia spp., which revealed that only 3.0% (1/33) and 7.6% (5/66) of the dogs from urban and rural areas, respectively, reacted positively to at least one Rickettsia species. DNA was extracted from canine blood and tested by a battery of PCR assays targeting protozoa of the genera Babesia and Hepatozoon, and bacteria of the genera Rickettsia and Ehrlichia and family Anaplasmataceae. All samples were negative in the PCR assays targeting the genera Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. For Anaplasmataceae, 3% (1/33) and 39.4% (26/66) of the urban and rural dogs, respectively, yielded amplicons that generated DNA sequences 100% identical to the corresponding sequence of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Dirofilaria immitis. Because of these results, all canine DNA samples were further tested in a PCR assay targeting filarial nematodes, which was positive for 18.2% (6/33) and 57.6% (38/66) urban and rural dogs, respectively. Filarial-PCR products generated DNA sequences 100% identical to D. immitis. While tick-borne infections were rare in Lábrea, D. immitis infection rates were among the highest reported in South America.

Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 99 cães domésticos de áreas urbana e rural do município de Lábrea, estado do Amazonas. Soros caninos foram testados pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta contra Rickettsia spp., resultando em apenas 3,0% (1/33) e 7,6% (5/66) de cães soropositivos nas áreas urbana e rural, respectivamente. DNA foi extraído do sangue canino e testado por diferentes protocolos da PCR para detecção de protozoários dos gêneros Babesia e Hepatozoon, e bactérias dos gêneros Rickettsia e Ehrlichia e da família Anaplasmataceae. Todas as amostras foram negativas nos protocolos de PCR para os gêneros Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia e Rickettsia. Para Anaplasmataceae, 3% (1/33) e 39,4% (26/66) dos cães de áreas urbana e rural, respectivamente, geraram sequências de DNA 100% idênticas ao endosimbionte Wolbachia de Dirofilaria immitis. Posteriormente, as amostras foram testadas pela PCR para nematódeos filarídeos, resultando em 18,2% (6/33) e 57,6% (38/66) de amostras positivas nas áreas urbana e rural, respectivamente. Os produtos geraram sequências de DNA 100% idênticas a D. immitis. Em contraste com várias outras regiões do Brasil, infecções transmitidas por carrapatos foram raras em Lábrea. Por outro lado, as frequências de infecção por D. immitis estiveram entre as mais altas relatadas na América do Sul.

Residuos de tetraciclina y quinolonas en peces silvestres en una zona costera donde se desarrolla la acuicultura del salmón en Chile / Residues of tetracycline and quinolones in wild fish living around a salmon aquaculture center in Chile

La presencia de antibacterianos y antiparasitarios residuales fue investigada en muestras de carne de peces silvestres de consumo humano pescados alrededor de un recinto de acuicultura en Cochamó (41° 29' S; 72° 19'W), X Región, Chile. Esta investigación demostró que peces silvestres, incluyendo róbalo (Elginops maclovinus), cabrilla (Sebastes capensis) y truchas de vida libre (Oncorhynchus mykiss), ingieren alimento artificial para salmón y que la carne de algunos ejemplares de estos peces contienen tetracicilina y quinolona en cantidades detectables. Estos resultados sugieren que el uso de antibacterianos en la acuicultura del salmón, como ha sido demostrado en otros países, tiene efectos ambientales que se proyectan más allá de los recintos de acuicultura. Se indica que dada la relevancia de estos hallazgos para la salud humana y animal, el ambiente requerirá de estudios más amplios y detallados para implementar futuras regulaciones del uso de antibacterianos en acuicultura.

The presence of residues of tetracycline, quinolones and antiparasitic drugs was investigated in wild fish captured around salmon aquaculture pens in Cochamó, Region X, Chile. Residues of both antibiotics were found in the meta of two species of wild fish that are consumed by humans, robalo (Elginops maclovinus) and cabrilla (Sebastes capensis) . These findings suggest that the antibiotic usage in salmon aquaculture in Chile has environmental implications that may affect human and animal health. More studies are needed in Chile to determine the relevance of these findings for human and animal health and the environment to regulate this use of antibiotics.

Bronchial asthma, Atopic dermatitis, HLA type

We observed 285 cases of culture proved shigellosis from Jan. 1978 to July 1981 at W.M.B.H. in Busan. We specially observed the clinical and bacteriological response to Oxolinic acid in 59 cases from Jan. to July 1981. The following results were obtained. 1. The most commonly isolated shigella strains was Sh. flexneri (85.3%) followed by Sh. sonnei (7.4%), Sh. boydii (4.2%) and Sh. dysenteriae(3.2%). 2. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that more than 90% of strains were resistant to Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol and Ampicillin. Resistance strains to Gentamycin and Oxocid were found in less than 12.2% and 14.3% respectively. 3. The multiple antibiotic resistant strains were observed in about 80% of 59 strains, which were resistant to 3~5 antibiotics. The most of these strains were resistant to Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol and Tetracycline. In 3 cases it was resistant to all kinds of antibiotics but oxolinic acid. 4. Oxolinic acid showed growth-inhibitory zone of more than 11 mm with the concentration of 2mcg/ml in 95% and M.I.C. value of less than 0.76mcg/ml in 90%. 5. After administration of Oxolinic acid, there was clinical response within 2 days in 76.5% and conversion to negative stool culture within 2days in 68.8%. 6. Compared with placebo group, there was parallel clinical and bacteriologic effectiveness between Oxolinic acid and Rifampin.

Bronchial asthma, Atopic dermatitis, HLA type

We observed 285 cases of culture proved shigellosis from Jan. 1978 to July 1981 at W.M.B.H. in Busan. We specially observed the clinical and bacteriological response to Oxolinic acid in 59 cases from Jan. to July 1981. The following results were obtained. 1. The most commonly isolated shigella strains was Sh. flexneri (85.3%) followed by Sh. sonnei (7.4%), Sh. boydii (4.2%) and Sh. dysenteriae(3.2%). 2. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that more than 90% of strains were resistant to Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol and Ampicillin. Resistance strains to Gentamycin and Oxocid were found in less than 12.2% and 14.3% respectively. 3. The multiple antibiotic resistant strains were observed in about 80% of 59 strains, which were resistant to 3~5 antibiotics. The most of these strains were resistant to Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol and Tetracycline. In 3 cases it was resistant to all kinds of antibiotics but oxolinic acid. 4. Oxolinic acid showed growth-inhibitory zone of more than 11 mm with the concentration of 2mcg/ml in 95% and M.I.C. value of less than 0.76mcg/ml in 90%. 5. After administration of Oxolinic acid, there was clinical response within 2 days in 76.5% and conversion to negative stool culture within 2days in 68.8%. 6. Compared with placebo group, there was parallel clinical and bacteriologic effectiveness between Oxolinic acid and Rifampin.

Clinical and Bacteriological Studies in Childhood Shigellosis: especially Effect of Rifampin in Shigellosis

Clinical and bacteriological studies were made on 168 cases of culture proved childhood shigellosis at Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital in Busan between Aug. 1978 and July 1980. The following results were obtained. 1. Of 168 cases, 99 cases were male and 69 were female, the ratio being 1.4:1. The most frequently affected age group was between one three six years(57.7%) and the youngest was one month old infant(2 cases). 2. The peak incidence was in summer (34.5%), however it occurred throughout the year, even in winter(17.3%). 3. The most frequent symptoms on admission were diarrhea (86.9%), fever(77.4%), vomithing (36.9%), convulsion(38.7%) and abdominal pain(28.6%). 4. WBC count in peripheral blood was variable from leukocytosis to leukopenia and over 5% of band form was seen in 52.4%. 5. Sh. Flexneri was the most frequently isolated strain(86.3%) followed by Sh. Sonnei(6.5%), Sh. Boydii(4.8%) and Sh. Dysenteriae (2.4%). 6. The result of sensitivity test reveales that Oxolinic acid was the most sensitive drug(86.2%) followed by Gentamicin(83.9%) and Cefazolin(80.4%). It also revealed the high prevalence of resistance to Ampicillin(88.0%), Chloramphenicol(92.7%) and Tetracycline (95.6%). 7. 54 isolated shigellae strains were tested for Minimal Inhibitory Concentration in tube dilution method and inhibition zone diameter in single disc test (Rifampin disc 5g/ml). MIC were below 12.5g/ml in 77.7% and below 25g/ml in 90.7% and inhibition zone diameter was over 8mm in 88.7%. 8. Clinical response to antibiotic therapy revealed that clinical improvement was seen within 5 days of therapy in 48.1% of Ampicillin therapy group and 58.1% of Septrin therapy group and within 4 days of therapy in 95.7% of initial Rifampin therapy group and 97.2% of altrnative Rifampin therapy group. 9. Bacteriological response to antibiotic therapy revealed that within 4 days of Ampicillin and Septrin therapy the negative conversion rate was 49.1% and 54.4% respectively. The negative conversion within 3days of Rifampin therapy was observed in 93.4% of initial therapy group and 96.6% of alternative therapy group. 10. There was no untoward reaction of Rifampin during therapy except for the reddish discoloration of urine and stool.

The Clinical Effect of Oxolinic Acid on Genitourinary Tract Infection / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Oxolinic acid is a weak-organic acid which developed recently from Nalidixic acid. Author reports a clinical observation about the effect of oxolinic acid on patients of genito-urinary tract infection, who visited to our O.P.D. from May 1976 to Nov. 1976. Daily dose is 1.5gm per oral for 5-28 days. 1. Among 12 cases of nongonococcal urethritis, excellent and good effects are obtained in 10 cases. 2. Among 9 cases of Gonococcal urethritis, excellent effects are resulted in 7 cases. 3. Among 6 cases of acute cystitis, excellent in 4 cases and good result in 2 cases are noted. 4. Among 5 cases of chronic prostatitis, only 1 case excellent and good effects are noted in 2 cases. 5. Among 3 cases of epididymitis, good effects are seen in 2 cases. 6. On 2 cases of chronic cystitis, 1 case is excellent and no effect in 1 case is noted. 7. On 1 case of pyelonephritis, no effect is obtained. 8. Oxolinic acid has the antibacterial activity in 11 cases of 17 cases staphylococcus & streptococcus infections, 7 cases of 9 cases gonococcus infections, and 1 case of 2 cases proteus infections. No significant toxicity is seen through the course of therapy.