Investigation of the Role of Campylobacter Infection in Suspected Acute Polyradiculoneuritis in Dogs.

BACKGROUND: Acute polyradiculoneuritis (APN) is an immune-mediated peripheral nerve disorder in dogs that shares many similarities with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in humans, in which the bacterial pathogen Campylobacter spp. now is considered to be a major triggering agent. Little information is available concerning the relationship between APN and Campylobacter spp. in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To estimate the association between Campylobacter spp. infection and APN. Associations with additional potential risk factors also were investigated, particularly consumption of raw chicken. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven client-owned dogs suffering from suspected APN and 47 healthy dogs, client-owned or owned by staff members. METHODS: Case-control study with incidence density-based sampling. Fecal samples were collected from each enrolled animal to perform direct culture, DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Campylobacter spp. In some cases, species identification was performed by sequence analysis of the amplicon. Data were obtained from the medical records and owner questionnaires in both groups. RESULTS: In cases in which the fecal sample was collected within 7 days from onset of clinical signs, APN cases were 9.4 times more likely to be positive for Campylobacter spp compared to control dogs (P < 0.001). In addition, a significant association was detected between dogs affected by APN and the consumption of raw chicken (96% of APN cases; 26% of control dogs). The most common Campylobacter spp. identified was Campylobacter upsaliensis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Raw chicken consumption is a risk factor in dogs for the development of APN, which potentially is mediated by infection with Campylobacter spp.

Report of Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry.

A few personal points seem appropriate in summary. It is axiomatic that while research solves problems, it also creates them. As an example, it is an accepted fact that dentistry more than any other profession has made serious inroads into putting itself out of business through research. Each year this report takes note of the reduction in dental caries in children, which has thus triggered a change in the nature of general practice. Be this as it may, it is well to acknowledge that major dental diseases are not disappearing, but their patterns in the population are changing, accompanied by an expansion of other services. Despite the optimistic picture painted earlier in this report, it is grossly premature to acclaim the elimination of caries, and thereby a significant segment of restorative dentistry. Of course the younger age groups have been the major beneficiaries of caries reduction. As the child ages from 9 to 16 years, the percentage of mouths free of caries drops by one half. In addition, the disease pattern in the adult population is being altered because of a longer life span and loss of fewer teeth. Unquestionably what we will, and are already seeing, is not an elimination of restorative dentistry but a different target and changes in procedures because of new materials, therapy, and expanded scope of services. There is yet another subtle change in the trend of dental research and it deals with the reduction in the number of dental schools worldwide and smaller class sizes in those schools. Dental research thereby suffers because of the traditional link between education and research. Thus the potential pool of researchers becomes smaller and research monies for training programs for dental investigators, particularly in clinical research, decreases. This year a surprising number of articles are concerned with manpower as it relates to research priorities. So, it is indeed a time that both the profession and the scientific community find filled with controversy and frustration. Yet never has there been a time that offers more in challenges and rewards.

Biologic evaluation of a silver-copper-germanium dental casting alloy and a gold-germanium coating alloy.

An Ag-Cu-Ge alloy and an Au-Ge alloy were evaluated for their hemolytic effect on rabbit blood, cytotoxicity to alpha-L fibrosarcoma cells, and allergenic effect on guinea pigs. Neither alloy evoked a significant hemolytic response; cytotoxicity, and that of pure germanium, was no greater than that of ZOE cement; and, on the basis of the guinea pig response, the potential human allergenic response was considered to be Grade I (weak) and Grade II (mild), respectively.

Insulin deficiency and cell proliferation in oral mucosal epithelium of the rat.

The duration of the cell cycle (C) and its component phases (G1, S, G2 and M), the rate of cell proliferation, and the renewal time, in the epithelium of the hard palate of alloxan-diabetic rats have been determined and compared with values of the same variables obtained previously from normal rats. The data have been derived by means of autoradiography with [3H]thymidine and the method of labelled mitoses. The values for the normal animals were found to be: G1 = 38 hours, S = 8 hours, G2 = 1 hour, M = 1 hour, C = 48 hours (or 2.1%/hour); and for the diabetic animals were: G1 = 42.5 hours, S = 8.5 hours, G2 = 1 hour, M = 1 hour, C = 53 hours (or 1.9%/hour); and for the renewal time for the epithelium, 6.5-8 days. In the diabetic animals the duration of S was increased by 6%, G1 by 12% and the cell cycle by about 10%. The reduced rate of cell proliferation that is associated with insulin deficiency may contribute to the slower rate of wound healing in subjects with diabetes mellitus.