Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 22
Filter
2.
J Hosp Infect ; 104(4): 592-596, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31809776

ABSTRACT

Sampling practices determine the accuracy of blood culture in diagnosing bloodstream infection. The main acute hospital in this study introduced aerobic-only routine blood cultures aiming to increase the volume and number of aerobic samples. At the smaller acute site, aerobic-anaerobic pairs were sent routinely. Culture yield and sampling practices were compared at these two sites and it was found that anaerobic cultures increased the yield of pathogens including facultative anaerobes. Volume cultured and number of samples sent fell short of national recommendations. The aerobic-only policy did not result in more blood being cultured. Based on these findings, the main acute hospital is reintroducing aerobic-anaerobic pairs for routine culture.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia/diagnosis , Bacteriological Techniques/methods , Blood Culture/methods , England , Hospitals , Humans , Sensitivity and Specificity , Specimen Handling
3.
Eur J Cancer ; 113: 19-27, 2019 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30954883

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adult guidelines recommend BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin) for all ovarian germ cell tumours, causing debilitating toxicities in young patients who will survive long term. Paediatricians successfully reduce toxicities by using lower bleomycin doses and substituting carboplatin for cisplatin, while testicular and paediatric immature teratomas (ITs) are safely managed with surgery alone. AIM: The aim was to determine whether reduced-toxicity treatment could rationally be extended to patients older than 18 years. METHODS: Multicentre cohort study was carried out in four large UK cancer centres over 12 years. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight patients were enrolled. Overall survival was 93%, and event-free survival (EFS) was 72%. Neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy (82% BEP) caused 27 potentially chronic toxicities, and one patient subsequently died from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. There was no difference in histology, stage or grade in patients ≤/>18 years, and EFS was not different in these age groups (≤18:28% and >18:28%; log-rank P = 0.96). Histological subtype powerfully predicted EFS (log-rank P = 4.9 × 10-7). Neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy reduced future relapse/progression in dysgerminoma (n = 37, chemo:0% vs. no chemo:20%), yolk sac tumour (n = 23, 26.3% vs.75%) and mixed germ cell tumour (n = 32, 40%vs.70%) but not in IT (n = 42, 33% vs.15%). Additionally, we observed no radiological responses to chemotherapy in ITs, pathological IT grade did not predict EFS (univariate hazard ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.57-1.19, P = 0.94) and there were no deaths in this subtype. CONCLUSION: Survival was excellent but chemotherapy toxicities were severe, implying significant overtreatment. Our data support the extension of reduced-toxicity, paediatric regimens to adults. Our practice-changing findings that IT was chemotherapy resistant and pathological grade uninformative strongly endorse exclusive surgical management of ovarian ITs at all ages.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/drug therapy , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Bleomycin/therapeutic use , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Child , Cisplatin/therapeutic use , Cohort Studies , Dysgerminoma/drug therapy , Dysgerminoma/pathology , Endodermal Sinus Tumor/drug therapy , Endodermal Sinus Tumor/pathology , Etoposide/therapeutic use , Female , Gynecologic Surgical Procedures , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Middle Aged , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Neoplasm Grading , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/pathology , Neoplasms, Second Primary/epidemiology , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/epidemiology , Progression-Free Survival , Proportional Hazards Models , Retrospective Studies , Teratoma/drug therapy , Teratoma/pathology , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
4.
BMJ Case Rep ; 20172017 Jan 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28115402

ABSTRACT

A man aged 47 years who was immunosuppressed following renal transplantation for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was referred to the Plastic Surgery team for management of a painful, chronic, granulomatous lesion of the right forearm. Serial ultrasound scans and MRI scans were not diagnostic, but microbiological specimens tested positive for the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum The renal transplant graft-which was failing-was removed, allowing him to cease immunosuppression. He then underwent a resection of the lesion and reconstruction with a split thickness skin graft. Analysis of the specimen revealed fibrosis, granulomatosis and a collection of S. apiospermum He was started on voriconazole which, in conjunction with his surgical resection, appears to have kept the disease at bay. With increasing numbers of solid organ transplants and improved survival, this case highlights the growing burden of rare, opportunistic infections, the difficulty in diagnosis and the need for specialist intervention.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Dermatomycoses/therapy , Graft Rejection/prevention & control , Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Kidney Transplantation , Scedosporium , Skin Transplantation , Voriconazole/therapeutic use , Dermatomycoses/diagnostic imaging , Dermatomycoses/etiology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
5.
Br J Cancer ; 111(2): 227-33, 2014 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24937667

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is an uncommon paediatric renal tumour. Relapses occur in about 15% of the patients. Since detailed clinical information on relapsed CCSK is scarce, the current study aims to describe outcome of patients with relapsed CCSK treated according to recent European protocols. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed prospectively collected data of all CCSK patients who developed a relapse after complete remission at the end of primary treatment, entered onto SIOP and AIEOP trials between 1992 and 2012. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 237 CCSK patients (16%) treated according to SIOP and AIEOP protocols developed a relapse. Median time from initial diagnosis to relapse was 17 months (range, 5.5 months - 6.6 years). Thirt-five out of thirty-seven relapses (95%) were metastatic; the most common sites of relapse were the brain (n=13), lungs (n=7) and bone (n=5). Relapse treatment consisted of chemotherapy (n=30), surgery (n=19) and/or radiotherapy (n=18), followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in 14 patients. Twenty-two out of thirty-seven patients (59%) achieved a second complete remission (CR); 15 of whom (68%) developed a second relapse. Five-year event-free survival (EFS) after relapse was 18% (95% CI: 4%-32%), and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 26% (95% CI: 10%-42%). CONCLUSIONS: In this largest series of relapsed CCSK patients ever described, overall outcome is poor. Most relapses are metastatic and brain relapses are more common than previously recognised. Intensive treatment aiming for local control, followed by high dose chemotherapy and ABMT, seems to be of benefit to enhance survival. Novel development of targeted therapy is urgently required.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Kidney Neoplasms/drug therapy , Sarcoma, Clear Cell/drug therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Kidney Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Neoplasm Staging , Prospective Studies , Sarcoma, Clear Cell/pathology , Treatment Outcome
6.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 45(2): 205-7, 2010 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20082340

ABSTRACT

Dysfunctional swallowing is an uncommon, but important cause of bronchiectasis. We describe a child with a brainstem tumor, who developed bronchiectasis caused by chronic aspiration secondary to a dysfunctional swallow. The case highlights the importance of thorough and repeated evaluation before a diagnosis of idiopathic bronchiectasis is made. If dysfunctional swallow is found further investigation to ascertain the cause is indicated.


Subject(s)
Astrocytoma/diagnosis , Brain Stem Neoplasms/diagnosis , Bronchiectasis/diagnosis , Cough/diagnosis , Deglutition Disorders/diagnosis , Adolescent , Astrocytoma/complications , Astrocytoma/radiotherapy , Brain Stem Neoplasms/complications , Brain Stem Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Bronchiectasis/etiology , Cough/etiology , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Treatment Outcome
7.
Eur J Cancer ; 45(16): 2843-9, 2009 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19616427

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Patients with febrile neutropaenia (FN) can be stratified according to their risk of significant complications, allowing reduced intensity therapy for low risk (LR) episodes. Serious events are very rare in low risk episodes making randomised trials difficult. Introduction of new evidence-based guidelines followed by re-auditing of the outcome is an alternative strategy. METHODS: New guidelines for the management of LR FN were implemented in 4 specialist paediatric oncology centres (POCs) and in their associated shared care units (POSCUs). All patients commenced empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy and after 48h those with blood culture negative episodes designated LR were eligible for discharge on oral co-amoxiclav. Prospective data collection on FN episodes in all treatment centres was undertaken over a 1-year period. RESULTS: Seven hundred and sixty two eligible episodes of FN were recorded in 368 patients; 213 episodes were initiated in POCs and 549 episodes were initiated in POSCUs. In 40% of episodes no clinical or microbiological focus of infection was found. At 48h, 212 (27%) episodes were classified as LR and 143 of these (19%) were managed on the LR protocol. There was a low hospital readmission rate (8/143 episodes; 5.6%), no intensive care admissions and no deaths in LR episodes. Almost all LR episodes (209/212) occurred in the shared care setting. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid step-down to oral antibiotics was a feasible and safe management strategy for LR FN in the shared care setting in England.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/administration & dosage , Fever/drug therapy , Infections/drug therapy , Neoplasms/therapy , Neutropenia/etiology , Administration, Oral , Adolescent , Bone Marrow Transplantation , Child , Child, Preschool , Feasibility Studies , Fever/etiology , Humans , Infant , Neoplasms/complications , Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome
8.
J Vet Intern Med ; 22(5): 1210-5, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18638020

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Norepinephrine increases arterial blood pressure but may have adverse effects on renal blood flow. Fenoldopam, a dopamine-1 receptor agonist, increases urine output in normotensive foals. The combination of norepinephrine and fenoldopam may lead to improved renal perfusion compared with an infusion of norepinephrine alone. The combined effects of these drugs have not been reported in the horse. HYPOTHESIS: Norepinephrine will alter the hemodynamic profile of foals without affecting renal function. Addition of fenoldopam will change the renal profile during the infusions without changing the hemodynamic profile. ANIMALS: Five conscious pony foals. METHODS: Each foal received norepinephrine (0.3 microg/kg/min), combined norepinephrine (0.3 microg/kg/min) and fenoldopam (0.04 microg/kg/min), and a control dose of saline in a masked, placebo-controlled study. Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (direct), and cardiac output (lithium dilution) were measured, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR), stroke volume, cardiac index (CI), and stroke volume index were calculated. Urine output, creatinine clearance, and fractional excretion of electrolytes were measured. RESULTS: Norepinephrine and a combined norepinephrine and fenoldopam infusion increased arterial blood pressure, SVR, urine output, and creatinine clearance and decreased HR and CI compared with saline. The combination resulted in higher HR and lower arterial blood pressure than norepinephrine alone. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Norepinephrine might be useful for hypotensive foals, because in normal foals, this infusion rate increases SVR without negatively affecting renal function (creatinine clearance increased). Fenoldopam does not provide additional benefit to renal function. These findings warrant further investigation.


Subject(s)
Fenoldopam/administration & dosage , Fenoldopam/pharmacology , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Horses/physiology , Norepinephrine/administration & dosage , Norepinephrine/pharmacology , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Kidney/drug effects , Vasoconstrictor Agents/administration & dosage , Vasoconstrictor Agents/pharmacology , Vasodilator Agents/administration & dosage , Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology
9.
Clin Microbiol Infect ; 14(3): 213-20, 2008 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18093238

ABSTRACT

Blood samples were collected for quantitative 16S rDNA analysis from the vascular access device (VAD) of patients presenting with fever at participating centres of the UK Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group. In total, 260 of 301 episodes of fever were evaluable and were classified as probable, possible, unlikely or unclassifiable VAD-associated infection. The sensitivity of the 16S rDNA assay declined concomitantly with delays from time of presentation to sampling. The sensitivity with >0.125 pg of bacterial DNA/microL of whole blood was 80% for the 20 probable VAD-associated infections diagnosed with samples collected on the day of or day following presentation. The specificity rose with increasing amounts of bacterial DNA, from 93% with >0.125 pg, to 98% with 0.25-0.5 pg, and to 100% with >0.5 pg/microL blood. The positive predictive value (for probable or possible) was 88% (95% CI 70-98%) with 0.25 pg/microL, and 100% (95% CI 83-100%) with >0.5 pg/microL. All 18 (6.8%) episodes with >0.5 pg of bacterial DNA/microL blood were associated with positive blood cultures. Identifications derived from the DNA sequence were consistent with the blood culture identifications for 15 of the 17 episodes with a DNA sequence identification. The VAD was removed because of suspected infection in six (2.8%) of 216 episodes with <0.125 pg of bacterial DNA/microL, in one (5%) of 20 episodes with 0.125-0.25 pg/microL, in one (16.7%) of six episodes with 0.25-0.5 pg/microL, and in nine (50%) of 18 episodes with >0.5 pg/microL. A bacterial DNA concentration of >0.5 pg/microL in blood drawn through a central venous catheter at the time of fever presentation had a high positive predictive value for VAD-associated infection and predicted an increased risk of VAD removal because of suspected infection.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia/diagnosis , Blood/microbiology , Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects , Catheters, Indwelling/microbiology , Leukemia/complications , Neoplasms/complications , Adolescent , Bacteria/classification , Bacteria/isolation & purification , Child , Child, Preschool , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Humans , Infant , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Predictive Value of Tests , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Sensitivity and Specificity , Sequence Analysis, DNA , United Kingdom
10.
Eur J Cancer ; 43(9): 1415-21, 2007 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17509875

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the natural history of Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) in a large unselected group of children aged 5 years or below at diagnosis, who were treated on a standard treatment programme in the United Kingdom between 1982 and 2000. METHODS: Eighty-one unselected children with HL aged 5 years or under at diagnosis, treated on the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) Hodgkin's trials HD1 (1982-1992) and HD2 (1992-2000), were included in the study. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (81%) presented with early stage disease (n=66). Fifty-three patients (65%) received combination chemotherapy, 28 (34%) received involved field radiotherapy (IF-RT) and 4 patients were treated with combined modality therapy. Eighteen children relapsed after primary therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Children treated with IF-RT had a higher rate of primary treatment failures as well as increased late treatment-related morbidity.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Hodgkin Disease/mortality , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Clinical Trials as Topic , Combined Modality Therapy/mortality , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Hodgkin Disease/drug therapy , Hodgkin Disease/radiotherapy , Humans , Male , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Radiotherapy/adverse effects , Treatment Failure , United Kingdom
11.
J Vet Intern Med ; 20(6): 1437-42, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17186862

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Norepinephrine is a potent vasopressor that increases arterial blood pressure but may have adverse effects on renal blood flow. The combination of norepinephrine and dobutamine may lead to improved renal perfusion compared to an infusion of norepinephrine alone. The effects of these drugs in the normotensive neonatal foal have not been reported. HYPOTHESIS: Norepinephrine increases arterial blood pressure. Adding dobutamine to a norepinephrine infusion will change the renal profile during the infusions without changing the arterial blood pressure. ANIMALS: Eight conscious Thoroughbred foals were used in this study. METHODS: Each foal received norepinephrine (0.1 microg/kg/min), combined norepinephrine (0.1 microg/kg/min) and dobutamine (5 microg/kg/min), and a control dose of saline in a masked, placebo-controlled study. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure (direct), and cardiac output (lithium dilution) were measured, and systemic vascular resistance, stroke volume, cardiac index, and stroke volume index were calculated. Urine output, creatinine clearance, and fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride were measured. RESULTS: Norepinephrine and a combined norepinephrine and dobutamine infusion increased arterial blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance and decreased heart rate and cardiac index as compared to saline. The combination resulted in higher arterial pressure than norepinephrine alone. There was no significant difference in urine output, creatinine clearance, or fractional excretion of electrolytes with either infusion as compared to saline. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These data suggest that norepinephrine and a combined norepinephrine and dobutamine infusion cause unique hemodynamic effects without affecting indices of renal function, and this effect warrants further investigation.


Subject(s)
Dobutamine/pharmacology , Horses/physiology , Kidney/drug effects , Norepinephrine/pharmacology , Sympathomimetics/pharmacology , Animals , Animals, Newborn/physiology , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Creatinine/urine , Drug Combinations , Electrolytes/urine , Heart Rate/drug effects , Infusions, Intravenous/veterinary , Kidney/physiology , Kidney Function Tests/veterinary , Vascular Resistance/drug effects
12.
Equine Vet J ; 36(5): 452-6, 2004 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15253089

ABSTRACT

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Septic arthritis is a serious problem in the neonate, with a poor prognosis being reported for recovery. The impact of neonatal septic arthritis on the likelihood that Thoroughbred (TB) foals will start on a racecourse is not known. HYPOTHESIS: The development of septic arthritis in a TB foal significantly reduces the likelihood that it will race when compared to foals from the same dam. METHODS: Medical records of 69 foals treated for septic arthritis were reviewed. The dam's foaling records were reviewed and lifetime racing records were then retrieved for both the affected foals and at least one of their siblings (controls). Outcomes that were statistically evaluated included discharge from the hospital and whether the foal eventually raced. Univariate analyses of categorical variables were conducted for each outcome. The number of affected and unaffected foals that raced at least once were compared using regression analysis. Survival analysis was used to compare age at first race between the study and comparison groups. RESULTS: Foals with septic arthritis were less likely to start on a racecourse compared to controls (odds ratio [OR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.62, P = 0.001), while those foals that were discharged from the hospital were also less likely to start on a racecourse compared to controls (OR 036; CI 0.15-0.83, P = 0.008). The presence of multisystem disease was associated with a decreased likelihood of surviving to be discharged (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02-0.90; P = 0.005), but did not affect the likelihood that they would start in at least one race if discharged successfully (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.04-2.81; P = 0.34) compared to the other foals with septic arthritis. Log-rank comparison of survival curves confirmed that foals discharged following treatment for septic arthritis took significantly longer to start in their first race compared to the sibling population (mean age of study group 1757 days, CI 1604-1909; mean age of sibling group 1273 days, CI 1197-1349; P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: The development of septic arthritis in a TB foal significantly reduces the likelihood that it will start on a racecourse when compared to controls. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Accurate figures allowing a realistic assessment of the athletic future of a foal following treatment for septic arthritis are of significance for both owner and treating veterinarian.


Subject(s)
Arthritis, Infectious/veterinary , Horse Diseases/physiopathology , Physical Conditioning, Animal , Sports/statistics & numerical data , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Arthritis, Infectious/mortality , Arthritis, Infectious/physiopathology , Case-Control Studies , Confidence Intervals , Female , Horse Diseases/mortality , Horses , Likelihood Functions , Male , Odds Ratio , Prognosis , Regression Analysis , Retrospective Studies , Survival Analysis
14.
Equine Vet J ; 33(6): 599-603, 2001 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11720032

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the use of a latex agglutination assay to measure serum amyloid A (SAA) in the neonatal foal. The normal range and response to clinical disease was determined. This retrospective study evaluated SAA concentrations over the first 3 days postpartum of 226 Thoroughbred foals judged to be clinically healthy. The normal range for each day was determined; levels were found to be significantly highest on Day 2 (Day 1 vs. Day 2 P<0.0001). The 95th percentile for Days 1-3 was 27.1 mg/l. Clinical records of 133 foals, presented as first or second opinion cases, were evaluated. Foals were divided into 4 groups; septicaemia (S), focal infection (FI), failure of passive transfer (FPT) and noninfectious disease (NI). There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.0001) between SAA concentrations of control foals compared to Groups S and FI. There was no statistically significant difference between controls and Groups FPT and NI. When Group NI was compared to Groups S and FI, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.0001). The authors suggest that SAA determined by this latex agglutination assay might be a helpful aid in the diagnosis of septicaemia and focal infection in neonatal foals; levels >100 mg/l are highly suggestive of infection in young foals.


Subject(s)
Animals, Newborn/blood , Horse Diseases/blood , Horses/blood , Sepsis/veterinary , Serum Amyloid A Protein/analysis , Age Factors , Animals , Calibration , Case-Control Studies , Focal Infection/blood , Focal Infection/diagnosis , Focal Infection/veterinary , Horse Diseases/diagnosis , Horse Diseases/immunology , Immunity, Maternally-Acquired/physiology , Latex Fixation Tests/veterinary , Reference Standards , Reference Values , Retrospective Studies , Sepsis/blood , Sepsis/diagnosis
16.
Equine Vet J ; 27(3): 201-7, 1995 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7556047

ABSTRACT

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism were analysed in serum samples obtained from 60 horses with no history of orthopaedic disease (age 3 months-20 years). Serum levels of the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), a marker of bone formation and the pyridinoline cross linked telopeptide domain of type I collagen (ICTP), a putative marker of bone resorption, were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum levels of the bone specific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (BALP), another marker of bone formation, were measured by a wheatgerm agglutinin affinity (WGA) method. Total alkaline phosphatase levels were also determined. Serum levels of PICP were significantly correlated with bone ALP (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001) and ICTP (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001). ICTP levels also correlated significantly with bone ALP (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001). However, total alkaline phosphatase did not correlate significantly with PICP, ICTP and BALP in horses over 1 year of age. There was an inverse correlation between serum levels of all biochemical markers and age of animals, with the most significant changes seen over the first 2 years. In animals less than 1 year of age, the reference ranges (mean +/- s.d. 1.96) were as follows: PICP 1216-2666 micrograms/l, ICTP 13.8-26.7 micrograms/l, bone ALP 134-288 u/l and total ALP 223-498 u/l. In 2-year-olds, the equivalent reference ranges were: PICP 550-1472 micrograms/l, ICTP 7.96-22.8 micrograms/l, bone ALP 32.7-125 u/l and total ALP 134-238 u/l.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Subject(s)
Aging/metabolism , Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Horses/metabolism , Peptide Fragments/metabolism , Procollagen/metabolism , Aging/blood , Alkaline Phosphatase/analysis , Alkaline Phosphatase/blood , Animals , Bone and Bones/chemistry , Collagen/analysis , Collagen/metabolism , Collagen Type I , Female , Horses/blood , Peptide Fragments/analysis , Peptide Fragments/blood , Peptides/analysis , Peptides/metabolism , Procollagen/analysis , Procollagen/blood , Radioimmunoassay , Wheat Germ Agglutinins
17.
Equine Vet J ; 23(6): 405-9, 1991 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1663866

ABSTRACT

A survey of 77 normal and 326 diarrhoeic foals in Britain and Ireland from 1987 to 1989 revealed a significantly higher prevalence of Group A rotaviruses and Aeromonas hydrophila in diarrhoeic foals. The prevalence of cryptosporidia, potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica and Clostridium perfringens was similar in normal or diarrhoeic foals. Rotaviruses had a similar prevalence in all age groups of scouring foals up to three months of age, with an overall prevalence of 37 per cent among diarrhoeic foals. The number of cases of diarrhoea varied considerably from year to year, but in all three years of the survey rotavirus was a significant pathogen. A comparison of diagnostic tests for rotavirus in the faeces showed electron microscopy (EM) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to have similar sensitivity. The Rotazyme ELISA test kit was found to have the same sensitivity as a combination of EM and PAGE. A. hydrophila had an overall prevalence of 9 per cent among diarrhoeic foals, although its prevalence was higher in some age groups. A. hydrophila has not been established previously as a significant enteric pathogen in foals. Other putative pathogens found at very low prevalence were coronavirus, the putative picobirnavirus, Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. No evidence was found of synergistic effects between rotavirus, cryptosporidia and potentially pathogenic E. coli. Neither coccidia nor non-Group A rotaviruses were found in any of the samples examined.


Subject(s)
Diarrhea/veterinary , Horse Diseases/microbiology , Rotavirus Infections/veterinary , Rotavirus/isolation & purification , Aeromonas/isolation & purification , Animals , Breeding , Clostridium Infections/epidemiology , Clostridium Infections/microbiology , Clostridium Infections/veterinary , Clostridium perfringens/isolation & purification , Cryptosporidiosis/epidemiology , Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/microbiology , Escherichia coli Infections/epidemiology , Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology , Escherichia coli Infections/veterinary , Feces/microbiology , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/microbiology , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/veterinary , Horse Diseases/epidemiology , Horses , Ireland/epidemiology , Prevalence , Rotavirus/ultrastructure , Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology , Rotavirus Infections/microbiology , Seasons , United Kingdom/epidemiology , Yersinia Infections/epidemiology , Yersinia Infections/microbiology , Yersinia Infections/veterinary , Yersinia enterocolitica/isolation & purification
18.
Vet Rec ; 128(18): 416-9, 1991 May 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-1853533

ABSTRACT

The importance of colostrum for the passive transfer of maternal immunity to foals is well recognised. This survey reports the incidence of the failure of passive transfer of colostral immunity in thoroughbred foals in the United Kingdom during 1988 to 1990, and the effect of plasma transfusions on IgG levels in a group of them. The incidence of disease in these foals first month of life is also recorded.


Subject(s)
Colostrum/immunology , Horse Diseases/immunology , Immunity, Maternally-Acquired/immunology , Immunization, Passive/veterinary , Animals , Female , Horse Diseases/epidemiology , Horses , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Incidence , Pregnancy , United Kingdom/epidemiology
19.
Equine Vet J ; 22(1): 6-8, 1990 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2298194

ABSTRACT

Gastroendoscopic examinations were conducted on 75 Thoroughbred foals aged two to 85 days on seven breeding farms in England and Ireland. The foals showed no signs of gastric disease. There was no significant difference between lesion prevalence in foals in England (16 of 28 foals; 57 per cent) or Ireland (22 of 47 foals; 47 per cent). Neither was there any sex predilection (18 of 36 males; 20 of 39 females). Lesions were most prevalent in foals under 10 days old (8 of 9) and least prevalent in foals older than 70 days (3 of 10). Lesions occurred most frequently in the squamous mucosa immediately adjacent to the margo plicatus along the greater curvature (34 foals), whereas lesions in the squamous fundus, the glandular fundus, and the lesser curvature were observed in 11, six and three foals, respectively. Lesions were not observed in the squamous mucosa surrounding the cardia. Gastric lesions were more prevalent in foals with a previous disorder than in those without (68 vs 43 per cent) and particularly with a history of recent or concurrent diarrhoea (9 of 14).


Subject(s)
Horse Diseases/epidemiology , Stomach Diseases/veterinary , Stomach/pathology , Age Factors , Animals , Animals, Newborn , England/epidemiology , Female , Gastric Mucosa/pathology , Gastroscopy/veterinary , Horse Diseases/pathology , Horses , Ireland/epidemiology , Male , Prevalence , Sex Factors , Stomach Diseases/epidemiology , Stomach Diseases/pathology , United States/epidemiology
20.
Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) ; 120(3): 351-6, 1989 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2929238

ABSTRACT

Injections of N6-(phenylisopropyl)adenosine, a nonmetabolizable adenosine A1 receptor agonist, desensitized rat adipocytes to the drug in 20 h. Lipolysis stimulated by 2 mumol/l DL-isoproterenol was inhibited markedly less by N6-(phenylisopropyl)adenosine in adipocytes isolated from treated than control animals (P less than 0.01). Glucose uptake was more responsive to N6-(phenylisopropyl)adenosine in adipocytes from control than treated animals (P less than 0.02). Adenosine content was the same in adipose tissue of control and treated animals. The number of adenosine binding sites was not significantly lower in treated compared with control animals (1580 +/- 279 and 1988 +/- 575 fmol/mg protein; mean +/- SEM). There was no change in receptor affinity (Kd = 10 nmol/l in both groups). There was no decrease in the amounts of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein (Gi) alpha subunits as studied by pertussis toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. It is concluded that desensitization to N6-(phenylisopropyl)adenosine can be observed without changes in the adenosine receptor status or decrease in the amount of inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein and that adipose tissue adenosine content is not changed by the agonist treatment.


Subject(s)
Adenosine/analogs & derivatives , Adenosine/metabolism , Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Phenylisopropyladenosine/administration & dosage , Animals , Deoxyglucose/metabolism , Injections, Subcutaneous , Isoproterenol/pharmacology , Lipolysis/drug effects , Male , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Receptors, Purinergic/drug effects
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...