Production responses of sheep supplemented with copper, cobalt and selenium on kikuyu ryegrass pastures.

The copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) status of SA Mutton Merino ewes grazing kikuyu-ryegrass pastures was investigated by analysing blood and liver samples. The response of ewes to oral supplementation with Cu, Cobalt (Co) and Se as single elements, or in 4 combinations were simultaneously assessed in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Pastures grazed were low in Cu (less than 5 mg Cu/kg DM) except for the summer months, while pasture Se concentrations remained at concentrations less than 0,03 mg Se/kg DM for almost the entire period. Plasma Cu concentrations remained in excess of 80 micrograms/dl until pasture Cu concentrations decreased below 5 mg/kg DM. Blood Se concentrations generally reflected liver Se concentrations. Supplementation of ewes with 5 g Cu oxide needles (Embamin Copper LA, Rhône Poulenc) markedly increased (P < or = 0,01) hepatic Cu and plasma Cu concentrations. The monthly drenching of ewes with 5 mg Se as sodium selenite elevated blood Se concentrations to normal levels in excess of 100 ng/ml while ewes not supplemented with Se had blood Se concentrations indicative of a deficiency (50-100 ng/ml). Supplementation of ewes with Cu and Se elevated (P < or = 0,05) concentrations of these trace elements in the plasma and blood of their progeny. Supplementation of ewes with Cu and Se resulted in respective improvements (P < or = 0,05) of 5,3 and 4,8% in live mass during lactation, compared to contemporaries which did not receive either Cu or Se.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topical treatment of burns using aserbine.

A cream containing malic, benzoic and salicylic acid esters (Aserbine) was evaluated as a topical dressing for dermal burns. Children with thermal injuries covering less than 20 per cent of the body surface area (BSA) were treated with Aserbine (53 patients), Daromide (31 patients) or silver sulphadiazine (SSD) (16 patients). In these groups, hot liquids were the cause of injury in 92 per cent, 100 per cent and 80 per cent of patients respectively. There were no significant differences in the numbers of patients with clinical evidence of infection. Aserbine did not inhibit the growth of staphylococci or Ps. aeruginosa, partly inhibited beta-haemolytic streptococci and Proteus sp., and completely inhibited the growth of E. coli. The rate of wound healing did not differ significantly between the groups. No toxic effects of Aserbine were observed, apart from transient discomfort on application. Aserbine is a safe, inexpensive topical agent suitable for thermal burns which are not heavily contaminated.

The value of adjuvant systemic antibiotic therapy in localised wound infections among hospital patients: a comparative study.

In a prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial that involved 73 patients with non-invasive wound infections receiving local wound treatment, the effect of adjuvant systemic antibiotic therapy was compared with that of a placebo. On inspection, more wounds were assessed as clinically clean after administration of an antibiotic than after the placebo was given although this difference was not statistically significant. Microbiological evaluation, however, showed a significantly higher cure of sepsis and elimination of individual organisms (P less than 0.05) after antibiotic therapy. Furthermore, eradication of antibiotic-susceptible organisms was significantly greater than that of resistant organisms (P less than 0.005), indicating adequate penetration of antibiotic into the septic wound exudate. The results suggest that appropriate adjuvant systemic antibiotic therapy in the management of infected wounds promotes bacterial clearance and this may enhance healing of wounds.

A familial paracentric inversion: a short review of the current status.

We present here a familial case of a paracentric inversion in man with a short review of the literature. A paracentric inversion of chromosome 10(q11q26) was found in the amniocytes drawn for advanced maternal age. The presence of the inversion was investigated in 35 family members in three generations. No recombinants were recognized. The significance of these data for appropriate genetic counselling and possible reproductive risks is discussed.

Prevention of wound sepsis in amputations by peri-operative antibiotic cover with an amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination.

In a series of 44 patients with lower limb ischaemia requiring amputation for major limb sepsis, the performance of a new antibiotic combination with beta-lactamase-inhibiting properties, amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid (A-CA) (Augmentin; Beecham), was compared with that of penicillin in the prevention of wound infection. The sepsis rate of 12,9% in the group of patients receiving peri-operative A-CA was significantly lower than the 76,9% in the penicillin control group (x2 = 14,48; P less than 0,001). It is concluded that there is a need for peri-operative antibiotic cover in this situation and that A-CA appears to be highly effective. No statistical difference was found as regards development of sepsis in wounds closed primarily or left open while under A-CA cover.

Peri-operative antibiotic cover in amputations using an amoxycillin-clavulanic acid combination.

In a series of 64 patients requiring amputation for lower limb sepsis, the performance of a new antibiotic combination with beta-lactamase-inhibiting properties, amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid (A-CA) (Augmentin; Beecham) in the prophylaxis of postoperative wound sepsis, was compared with that of a combination of amoxycillin and ampicillin (A-A) (Suprapen; Bencard) and a control group. The sepsis rate following A-CA prophylaxis (12,9%) was significantly less than in the control group (x 2 = 18, 49; P less than 0,001). Although not attaining statistical significance (x 2 = 2, 12),, A-CA compared favourably with A-A (sepsis rate 35.3%) in the prevention of post-amputation wound sepsis. There was no statistically significant difference in the development of sepsis between wounds closed primarily and those left unsatured while under A-CA cover. It is concluded that peri-operative antibiotic cover for amputations in septic lower limb lesions is advisable and that A-CA is a valuable antibiotic in this situation.

A clinical trial of a combination of amoxycillin and flucloxacillin in amputations for septic ischaemic lower limb lesions.

The incidence of sepsis after amputation with or without a proximal arterial reconstructive procedure in 24 patients presenting with septic ischaemic lower limb lesions and who received a parenteral combination of amoxycillin and flucloxacillin (Suprapen; Bencard) is compared with that in a similar control group of 22 patients who received antibiotics only if postoperative sepsis developed. There was no significant difference in the incidence of sepsis in the arterial reconstruction wounds. Amputation stump sepsis occurred in 33.3% of patients receiving prophylactic antibiotics compared with 72.7% of the control group. The difference is statistically significant. A similar significant difference was found among 32 patients submitted to primary amputation without an arterial reconstructive procedure. Bacteriological data are discussed.

A general practice trial of an amoxycillin/flucloxacillin combination (Suprapen) in proven bacterial infections.

Ninety-three cases of proven bacterial infection occurring in general practice were treated with an amoxycillin/flucloxacillin combination. There was a satisfactory clinical response in 98% of patients and an overall bacteriological success rate of 95.7%. Eleven patients (9.1%) complained of side-effects but withdrawal of the combination was necessary in only one patient who developed a rash.