An outbreak of peste des petits ruminants in migratory flocks of sheep and goats in Egypt in 2006.

An outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) was recorded in Kalubia province, Egypt in 2006, affecting a large population of migratory goats and sheep over a huge geographical area. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory investigations were performed. Diseased animals showed pyrexia, erosive stomatitis, enteritis and bronchopneumonia. Clinical manifestations were more severe in goats. The overall morbidity, cumulative mortality and case fatality rates were 26.1%, 10.5% and 40.2%, respectively, and were significantly higher in young animals. Post-mortem examination showed emaciation, congested mucous membranes, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, haemorrhagic necrosis of the abomasal and intestinal mucosa, pleurisy and lung consolidation. Forty oculonasal swabs and 243 serum samples from diseased animals were tested for PPR antigen and antibodies using immunocapture and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), respectively. PPR antigen was detected in 30/40 (75%) of the swabs. PPR virus was identified in inoculated Vero cells using immunocapture ELISA and fluorescent antibody technique (FAT); 33/40 (82.5%) and 36/40 (90%) samples were positive, respectively. Of 243 sera, 154 (63.4%) contained PPR antibodies. Circulation of PPR among the migratory sheep and goat flocks was demonstrated. Strict serosurveillance and monitoring of PPR with vaccination of migratory flocks at borders is required for effective control of the disease.

Effect of niacin on retinal vascular diameter in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: Niacin is a B vitamin well-known for causing vasodilation and flushing. The purpose of this study was to investigate its effect on the retinal vasculature of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Twelve patients with AMD were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Fundus photographs of the posterior pole were taken at baseline, 30 min, and 90 min after a single dose of niacin or placebo. The protocol was repeated after a washout period using the alternate study drug. The diameters of two veins and one artery on each image were measured. RESULTS: An analysis of variance for repeated measures comparing the effects of niacin with those of placebo demonstrated a significant increase in the inferior temporal retinal artery diameter (p = 0.01), with a 5.3 +/- 7.7% increase at 30 min (p = 0.05) and 5.8 +/- 5.0% increase at 90 min (p = 0.003). No significant changes were observed in the temporal retinal veins. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that niacin produces vasodilatation of retinal arterioles. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether niacin treatment may be beneficial in retinal ischemic diseases.

A prospective study towards a national family planning program.

PIP: Most family planning trials in Egypt have been gynecological studies on the effect of different contraceptives and not social studies that could lead to a comprehensive program to lower the fertility rate. The Governorate of Guiza, with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cairo, will be implementing a reasonably large-scale program in the hope of obtaining enough experience and reliable results to help formulate a country-wide program. The objects of the program are: 1) to study the attitudes and behavior of rural, urban, and industrial communities toward family planning and their relationship to the socioeconomic status of the population; 2) to find the most effective, cheapest, and most applicable procedures for family planning; 3) to study the role of different types of services units; and 4) to make specifications for the training of each type of family planning worker. The program will be organized and administered by a Council at the governorate level, a technical and executive committee, and a local committee for each of the districts involved. The program will be implemented in 2 phases: 1) experimentation and training, where procedures and techniques will be standardized and training started; and 2) extension and generalization. Suggested program evaluation criteria include: 1) the change in attitude toward family planning; 2) the increase in the number of receptors and their sustained interest; 3) reduction in the birthrate; and 4) the cost of the program in relation to its returns.^ieng