Characterization and experimental infection of Flexibacter maritimus (Wakabayashi et al. 1986) in hatcheries of post-larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931.

A preliminary study to characterize filamentous bacteria, whose presence is related to high mortality of Litopenaeus vannamei larvae cultured in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, is reported. The extract of infected larvae was diluted in different concentrations, cultured in marine agar (Difco, Marine Agar 2216) and incubated at 30 degrees C for 48 hours. The biochemical characterization included hydrolytic reactions of starch, gelatin and tyrosine, growth in TCBS agar, growth in 0 and 37 per thousand salinity, pigment production in tyrosine agar, production of H2S, nitrate reduction, congo red reaction, oxidase and catalase. The isolated bacteria belong to the species Flexibacter maritimus, Gram-negative bacilli of 0.4-0.5 microm width and 15 microm length. Experiments were carried out on pathogenicity of F. maritimus in post-larvae of L. vannamei. Survival and symptoms in L. vannamei post-larvae 24 hours after inoculation with F. maritimus and its growth in marine agar were evaluated. Mortality was detected around 92,5% as well as symptoms like melanized lesions in several parts of body, discolouration of gills, bad formation of appendages and of the last abdominal segment, low motility and feeding reduction. The experimental infection results suggested that isolated bacteria of the genus Flexibacter are pathogenic to the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei post-larvae.

Characterization and experimental infection of Flexibacter maritimus (Wakabayashi et al. 1986) in hatcheries of post-larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931

A preliminary study to characterize filamentous bacteria, whose presence is related to high mortality of Litopenaeus vannamei larvae cultured in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, is reported. The extract of infected larvae was diluted in different concentrations, cultured in marine agar (DifcoTM, Marine Agar 2216) and incubated at 30 °C for 48 hours. The biochemical characterization included hydrolytic reactions of starch, gelatin and tyrosine, growth in TCBS agar, growth in 0 and 37‰ salinity, pigment production in tyrosine agar, production of H2S, nitrate reduction, congo red reaction, oxidase and catalase. The isolated bacteria belong to the species Flexibacter maritimus, Gram-negative bacilli of 0.4-0.5 µm width and 15 µm length. Experiments were carried out on pathogenicity of F. maritimus in post-larvae of L. vannamei. Survival and symptoms in L. vannamei post-larvae 24 hours after inoculation with F. maritimus and its growth in marine agar were evaluated. Mortality was detected around 92,5 percent as well as symptoms like melanized lesions in several parts of body, discolouration of gills, bad formation of appendages and of the last abdominal segment, low motility and feeding reduction. The experimental infection results suggested that isolated bacteria of the genus Flexibacter are pathogenic to the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei post-larvae.

Neste trabalho, relata-se um estudo preliminar para caracterizar bactérias filamentosas associadas a elevadas mortalidades de larvas e pós-larvas cultivadas no Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Um extrato de larvas infectadas foi diluído em diferentes concentrações, cultivado em Agar Marine (DifcoTM, Marine Agar 2216) e incubado a 30° C por 48 horas. A caracterização bioquímica inclui reações de amido, gelatina e tirosesine, crescimento em Agar TCBS,crescimento a 0 e 37‰ de salinidade, produção de pigmentos em Agar Tirosine, produção de H2S, redução de nitrato, reação vermelho congo, oxidase e catalase. A bactéria isolada apresentou características de Flexibacter maritimus, um bacilo Gram negativo de 0,4-0,5 µm de largura e 15 µm de comprimento. Os experimentos foram realizados sobre a patogenicidade de F. Maritimus, em pós-larvas de L. vannamei. Foram avaliados a sobrevivência e os sintomas das pós-larvas 24 horas após a inoculação com F. Maritimus, além do seu crescimento em Agar Marine. Foram encontradas mortalidades de 92,5 por cento e sintomas próprios da enfermidade, tais como lesões melanizadas em várias partes do corpo, descoloração das brânquias e diminuição da motilidade e da alimentação. Com base nos resultados da infecção experimental, pode se concluir que a bactéria isolada do gênero Flexibacter é patogênica para pós-larvas de L. vannamei.

Modulation of granulocyte responses in three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus infected with the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus.

Leukocytes isolated from the head kidney and peripheral blood of 3-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus L. were analysed by means of flow cytometry during infection with the tapeworm Schistocephalus solidus (Müller, 1776). Although parasites increased their body weight continuously throughout the observation period (98 d), proportions of granulocytes increased in blood and head kidney only up to Day 63 post-infection (p.i.). Thereafter, declining proportions of granulocytes were observed in both organs. Thus the relative decrease in granulocyte number was not correlated to a decline in the parasitic load of the fish. To investigate a possible modulatory impact of S. solidus on granulocyte function, head kidney leukocytes were isolated at times before Day 63 p.i. and tested in vitro for their capacity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Head kidney leukocytes from S. solidus-infected fish, analysed immediately after isolation (ex vivo, Day 40 p.i.), exhibited a higher ROS production when stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), than leukocytes from naive, sham-treated control fish and fish that had resisted or cleared the infection (exposed but not infected). The latter showed an increased spontaneous ROS production that was not correlated to the numbers of granulocytes present in the head kidney isolates. In infected sticklebacks, spontaneous and PMA-induced ROS production was significantly correlated with numbers of granulocytes present in the head kidney isolates, suggesting that elevated ROS production was due to higher numbers of responding cells rather than an increased capacity of single cells. In vitro, after cultivation for 4 d in the presence of pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or extracts from S. solidus, head kidney leukocytes from control fish showed an increased ROS production and phagocytic activity compared with non-stimulated control cultures. In contrast, head kidney leukocytes from infected fish isolated on Days 48 and 44 p.i., failed to respond to S. solidus antigens in vitro. During S. solidus infection, granulocyte mobilisation resulted in elevated numbers of these cells in head kidneys, but the lack of an in vitro response to S. solidus antigens indicates an in vivo priming of granulocytes by the parasite. These observations may reflect the ability of S. solidus to impair the host's immune response once the parasite is developing in the body cavity of G. aculeatus.

Surgical hemostasis by pneumatic ankle tourniquet during 3027 podiatric operations.

A retrospective study was performed at the Denver Doctors Hospitals in which 3818 surgical cases on the foot and/or ankle were reviewed over a 4-year period from July 1986 through May 1990. From the 3027 ankle tourniquet cases reviewed, it was determined that pneumatic ankle tourniquets are safe and effective in providing hemostasis during foot surgery. There were five postoperative complications noted with ankle cuffs, with post-tourniquet syndrome being the most common (three cases). Over the 4-year period, ankle tourniquets failed a total of 50 times, a 1.8% failure rate (0.25% failure rate in the last 17 months). The most common pressure setting used for ankle cuffs was 325 mm. Hg (400 mm. Hg for thigh cuffs). Tourniquet ischemia lasted from 4 to 139 min.; the most common duration of ischemia noted for ankle tourniquets was 30 to 60 min. (60 to 90 min. for thigh tourniquets). A review of the potential complications associated with tourniquets, as well as safeguards, recommendations, and contraindications are presented.

Digital "V" arthrodesis.

Numerous procedures have been proposed through the years for the treatment of digital hammertoes and other related structural deformities. Experience has determined that many of these procedures are structurally incorrect and result in secondary deformity, which are often worse than the pathology initially addressed. Phalangeal base resections were found to destroy the structural stability provided by the intrinsic musculature. Phalangeal head resections make the toe impressionable to the extrinsic forces of the adjacent toes often leading to structural mal-alignment, or additional contracture. Similarly, indiscriminate tendon lengthenings have led to flail toes and a lack of purchase and propulsion. The advent of proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis demonstrated that structural stability and propulsion could be maintained while enhancing alignment. The "V" arthrodesis, as introduced by the authors, provides an alternative surgical approach to digital fusions. This approach is technically less difficult compared with a peg-in-hole fusion and provides enhanced stability when compared with an end-to-end arthrodesis. The preliminary results of this procedure appear to be most promising and are provided to the readership for review and examination.

Diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis using real-time B-mode ultrasound imaging.

The authors discuss real-time B-mode imaging in reference to the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. This technique is noninvasive, reproducible, painless, and accurate in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis. A case report demonstrating the effectiveness of this modality is presented. The authors believe this diagnostic tool will soon become the procedure of choice in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Closed reduction of a proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation.

A case report involving the closed reduction of a simple dislocation of a lesser digit is presented. The technique of reduction is illustrated and discussed. Classification of both simple and complex dislocations are reviewed.