Ovicidal Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) towards Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) Eggs.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus, commonly known as brown dog tick is a widespread species with considerable public health and economic importance. Tremendous efforts were performed to control the tick populations with the concern of resistance build-up and environmental issues. Alternative towards microbial control thus emerged as one option to reduce tick populations. In this study, the ovicidal efficacy of a native isolate entomopathogenic hyphomycetes fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae strain HSAH5 was evaluated against eggs of R. sanguineus. Spray applications with three different conidial concentrations of 105, 106 and 107 conidia mL-1; 40 ppm of Flumethrin and a negative control. The M. anisopliae strain was found highly virulent to R. sanguineus eggs by reducing the hatching percentages to ≈30% compared with 8.9% in Flumethrin eggs. The result showed a significantly higher mortality in M. anisopliae group than those of the control groups (F = 42.08, df = 32, P < 0.001) at 30 days post-infection. However, there are no significant differences within the M. anisopliae group, in which the mortality between different conidial concentrations is almost the same. The estimated LC50 of M. anisopliae against eggs of R. sanguineus is 1.36 × 103 conidia ml-1. Thus, these results suggest M. anisopliae strain HSAH5 could be a potential biocontrol agent of R. sanguineus in the integrated approach to managing ticks in the residential landscape by targeting on the eggs.

Ovicidal Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) towards Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae) Eggs

@#Rhipicephalus sanguineus, commonly known as brown dog tick is a widespread species with considerable public health and economic importance. Tremendous efforts were performed to control the tick populations with the concern of resistance build-up and environmental issues. Alternative towards microbial control thus emerged as one option to reduce tick populations. In this study, the ovicidal efficacy of a native isolate entomopathogenic hyphomycetes fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae strain HSAH5 was evaluated against eggs of R. sanguineus. Spray applications with three different conidial concentrations of 105, 106 and 107 conidia mL-1; 40 ppm of Flumethrin and a negative control. The M. anisopliae strain was found highly virulent to R. sanguineus eggs by reducing the hatching percentages to ≈30% compared with 8.9% in Flumethrin eggs. The result showed a significantly higher mortality in M. anisopliae group than those of the control groups (F = 42.08, df = 32, P < 0.001) at 30 days post-infection. However, there are no significant differences within the M. anisopliae group, in which the mortality between different conidial concentrations is almost the same. The estimated LC50 of M. anisopliae against eggs of R. sanguineus is 1.36 × 103 conidia ml-1. Thus, these results suggest M. anisopliae strain HSAH5 could be a potential biocontrol agent of R. sanguineus in the integrated approach to managing ticks in the residential landscape by targeting on the eggs.

Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in diabetics screened using fundus photography at a primary health care setting in East malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: This study reports on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and risk factors among diabetic patients, who underwent fundus photography screening in a primary care setting of Borneo Islands, East Malaysia. We aimed to explore the preliminary data to help in the planning of more effective preventive strategies of DR at the primary health care setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 738 known diabetic patients aged 19-82 years was conducted in 2004. Eye examination consists of visual acuity testing followed by fundus photography for DR assessment. The fundus pictures were reviewed by a family physician and an ophthalmologist. Fundus photographs were graded as having no DR, NPDR, PDR and maculopathy. The data of other parameters was retrieved from patient's record. Bi-variate and multivariate analysis was used to elucidate the factors associated with DR. RESULTS: Any DR was detected in 23.7% (95% CI=21 to 27%) of the patients and 3.2% had proliferative DR. The risk factors associated with any DR was duration of DM (OR =2.5, CI=1.6 to 3.9 for duration of five to 10 years when compared to <5 years) and lower BMI (OR=1.8, CI=1.1 to 3.0). Moderate visual loss was associated with DR (OR=2.1, CI=1.2 to 3.7). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms associations of DR with diabetic duration, body mass index and visual loss. Our data provide preliminary findings to help to improve the screening and preventive strategies of DR at the primary health care setting.

Results in 158 consecutive cadaveric renal transplantations.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the outcome of deceased donor kidney transplantations performed in a single center in a developing country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients (69 male and 89 female patients, including 32 children) received kidney grafts obtained from deceased donors between March 1996 and October 2004. Cadaveric renal grafts were transplanted after a cold ischemia time of 4 to 24 hours (mean, 12.5 hours). Retransplantation was performed in 19 recipients. Induction immunosuppression was achieved with antithymocyte globulin. The diagnosis of acute graft rejection was based on histopathological findings. RESULTS: Primary graft function was observed in 77% of cases. Posttransplantation complications were: surgical (n = 60; 38%), systemic bacterial and viral infections (n = 33; 21%), acute rejection (n = 47; 30%), and malignancy (n = 2; 1.3%). Seventeen recipients died with a functioning graft, and 23 more grafts were lost. The 7-year actuarial survival rates were 89% and 75% for recipients and grafts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The kidney transplantation program in Kuwait is steadily growing. Kidney grafts obtained from deceased donors contributed 28% of the transplantation activity and were associated with a high rate of primary function. Overall actuarial recipient and graft survival rates were comparable to those reported by larger centers.

Urologic complications after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation is associated with several nonimmunological problems. Although urologic complications may be serious and carry a high risk of graft loss, they are amenable to successful treatment if diagnosed early and treated properly. Their incidence in the literature varies from 2.5% to 15%. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the incidence, pattern, management options, and outcomes of urologic complications in 560 consecutive renal transplantations performed at a single center between November 1993 and October 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one (16 male and 5 female) recipients developed posttransplantation urinary complications at 2 days to 76 months after renal transplantation. Their kidney grafts were obtained from 13 living and eight deceased donors. Complications included ureteric stricture in 11 and urine leak in 10 recipients. Ultrasonography and isotope renal scanning were the main diagnostic tools. Complications were treated either conservatively, by percutaneous dilatation and stenting, or by surgical reconstruction. RESULTS: The incidence of urologic complications following renal transplantation in the present series was 3.7%. All cases were successfully treated with no graft loss secondary to these complications. CONCLUSIONS: Posttransplantation urologic complications are associated with a good prognosis if diagnosed early and properly treated. Percutaneous transluminal dilatation of ureteric stenosis in renal transplant patients has good initial success, low morbidity, few recurrences, and long-term effectiveness.

Leukoreduction and acute rejection in liver transplantation: an interim analysis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effect of blood transfusions and leukoreduction on acute rejection in liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of leukoreduction on the occurrence of early rejection episodes in liver transplantation. METHODS: In 1999, mandatory leukoreduction was implemented in our program. Data from 339 consecutive liver transplant recipients were analyzed with attention to the time period as a proxy for leukoreduction, the number of transfusions, the wait list status, the hepatitis B or C status, the recipient age, and the type of immunosuppression. RESULTS: Using an early (6-month) rejection-free graft survival model, we observed that introduction of leukoreduction was independently associated with fewer rejection episodes (P =.001). Despite the lower rejection rate, due to a regimen of tacrolimus and antithymocyte globulin, the effect of implementation of leukoreduction remained significant (P =.021). CONCLUSION: The use of leukoreduction is associated with fewer early rejections, irrespective of the type of immunosuppression. These data support an exploration of the immunomodulatory effect of leukoreduction.

Ureteral implantation technique and urologic complications in adult kidney transplantion.

AIM: To assess the incidence of urological complications and hematuria after adult kidney transplantation using the Lich-Gregoire (LG) versus the Taguchi (T) ureteral implantation technique. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 212 consecutive kidney transplants from our institution using an access database. RESULTS: Sixty four patients underwent ureteral implantation using the T technique, and the other 148, the LG implantation. Both groups were matched for donor/recipient characteristics and for cold/warm ischemia times. There were 23 urological complications in 17 patients. Twenty-seven patients developed complicated hematuria. The rates of urinary leak and ureteral stones were not different. There was a higher incidence of permanent ureteral strictures using the LG technique (P =.05). T technique was associated more frequently with hematuria, but there was no difference in the length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: We identified an increased incidence of permanent strictures with the LG technique. The rate of hematuria was higher in the T group. Both techniques can be used interchangeably with acceptable rates of urological complications. The simplicity of the T technique has made it the technique of choice in our institution.