Species Identification and Resistance Status of Anopheles gambiae s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes in Guinea.

Insecticide resistance is one of the primary threats to the recent gains in malaria control. This is especially true in Guinea, where long-lasting insecticidal nets are currently the primary vector control intervention. To better inform the national malaria control program on the current status of insecticide resistance in Guinea, resistance bioassays were conducted, using Anopheles gambiae s.l. Giles, in three sites. Molecular analyses were also done on An. gambiae s.l. to determine the species and find whether the target-site mutations kdr and Ace1R were present. Susceptibility tests revealed resistance to DDT and pyrethroids, although mosquitoes were susceptible to deltamethrin in two of the three sites tested. Mosquitoes were susceptible to bendiocarb, except in Kissidougou, Guinea. The kdr-west mutation was widespread and the frequency was 60% or more in all sites. However, the Ace1R mutation was present in low levels. Insecticide susceptibility should continue to be monitored in Guinea to ensure insecticide-based vector control methods remain effective.

Study of mechanical versus manual/mechanical compression following various interventional cardiology procedures.

Knowledge and technology for cardiovascular disease are growing at a rapid rate. Interventional cardiology offers patients several options of therapy, including percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, directional coronary atherectomy, and percutaneous transluminal coronary rotoblator angioplasty procedures. Patients with these procedures require femoral intra-arterial sheath insertion and postprocedure management of these sheaths. The best practice for sheath removal is a controversial issue. This article describes a study conducted at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, comparing the use of manual/mechanical versus mechanical compression technique for sheath removal. Subjects included patients who had one of the previous procedures performed. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two study groups: manual/ mechanical or mechanical compression. Variables such as size of sheath, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and flat time after sheath removal were examined. The outcome measure reported was the development of a groin complication. Results indicated no significant difference in groin complication. As a result, practice at Presbyterian Hospital changed to mechanical compression for removing sheaths.