The effect of Syphacia muris on nutrient digestibility in laboratory rats.

This study was carried out to investigate how pinworm infection in rats affects nutrient digestibility in the hosts. Twenty-four male outbred Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of 12 rats each. The rats from the first group (GI) were kept in cages with bedding containing pinworm eggs, and the second (control) group (GII) were kept in a separate room in clean, uncontaminated filter-top cages. The animals were put into individual metabolic cages later. Metabolic trials lasted five days and records of animal weight, food ingestion, and faecal weight were taken daily. Based on laboratory analysis of the feed and faecal nutrient content, digestibility values were determined. On day 15 of the experiment, the animals were euthanized. Although Syphacia muris were found in all rats from the GI group, animals exhibited no clinical signs. In our experiment, S. muris infection reduced the overall digestibility of all measured nutrients (P < 0.01). The most significant differences in digestibility were observed in the case of crude fibre and mineral matter (P < 0.01).

Cytomegalovirus infections in the human population.

Diagnostic and clinical experience gained in the period from 1966--1977 is summarized. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from 35 sucklings and 5 infants aged more than 1 year as well as from necropsy materials from 10 sucklings. The most frequently involved were the respiratory tract (77.8%), liver (53.5%) and haematopoetic apparatus (42.2%). Congenital defects were found in 22.2%. The incidence in the population varied from 20% in sucklings to 50--60% in persons aged over 40 years. The incidence of infection was higher in sucklings and infants in nurseries. Out of 37 adult patients with kidney transplantation, the virus was isolated from 10 (27%) and complement-fixing antibodies were found in 34 (91%) patients.