ABSTRACT
The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is the most widely distributed nonhuman primate species, and captive populations play an important role in biomedical research due to close phylogenetic and physiological similarity to human beings. However, to our best knowledge, the spondyloarthritis (SpA) in rhesus macaques has been exclusively reported in captive or semicaptive populations rather than wild counterparts. In the present study, we report 2 cases of SpA observed in Taihangshan macaques (Macaca mulatta tcheliensis) inhabiting the Taihangshan Macaque National Nature Reserve, Henan Province, China. Among these 2 cases, one can be diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) following accepted medical criteria, and another case showed evident fusion at the pubic symphysis which could be specific to rhesus macaque AS. We discuss the potential causes leading directly or indirectly to the development of SpA.
Subject(s)
Spondylarthritis , Animals , China , Macaca mulatta , PhylogenyABSTRACT
SETTING: During 2000-2006, a regional anti-tuberculosis drug resistance surveillance study was conducted in Shanghai, China. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, trends and risk factors for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Shanghai, China. DESIGN: A retrospective study of all pulmonary TB patients reported in Shanghai during 2000-2006 was conducted. RESULTS: Of 8419 pulmonary TB patients, 16.6% had resistance to any first-line anti-tuberculosis drug and 4.0% had multidrug resistance (MDR). The percentage of TB patients with resistance to any first-line anti-tuberculosis drug and MDR significantly increased during 2000-2003 (P=0.01 and P<0.01, respectively). After improvements in the TB control programme in 2004, the increasing trend in drug resistance was contained. Age 30-59 years, being an urban migrant and residence in an urban area of Shanghai were independently associated with resistance to any first-line drug and MDR in new cases, while age 30-59 years and being an urban migrant were independently associated with resistance to any first-line drug and MDR in previously treated cases. CONCLUSIONS: Drug-resistant TB and MDR-TB pose a challenge for TB control in Shanghai. Improved case management, including DOTS and appropriate treatment regimens, should be sustained to prevent further transmission and development of drug-resistant TB in this setting.
