Acute glomerulonephritis in Trinidad: serological typing of group A streptococci

The recent epidemic of acute glomerulonephritis in Trinidad had two peaks, separated by an interval of about 6 months. Evidence is presented that there were in fact two successive but overlapping epidemics, the first due to streptococci of provisional M-type 55, and second to streptococci of M-type 49. (AU)

Hypercalcaemia with features resembling rickets in five female siblings

A study was made of an Indian family in Trinidad in which five sisters were similarly affected with an abnormality involving mainly the lower limbs and showing radiological features of rickets. The limb deformities became apparent between 2-4 years of age soon after they started to walk. Three brothers and a sister have not so far shown evidence of this abnormality. Four of the sisters have had raised serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels and have shown gradual improvement in the bony deformity without any special treatment (AU)

The hemoglobinopathies in Trinidad

Six hundred and fifty persons were studied with respect to electrophoresis and foetal hemoglobin. Of 204 random samples, 177 were normal, 19 showed an AS pattern, 6 AC, 1 AE and 1 AN. In a group diagnosed as having hemoglobinopathy the following results were noted: SS 121, AS 200, SC18, AC 18, AE 1, S-Thal. 6, C-Thal. 4, Thal. Major 6, Four cases were complicated by a megaloblastic anaemia and 1 case of high foetal hemoglobin in a child with chronic myeloid leukemia is recorded (AU)

Drug sensitivity of m. tubercle - abstract

A report of the results of a drug resistance survey of new cases of tuberculosis and some observations on a group of older patients are presented. The findings illustrate the value of drug sensitivity tests in the control of treatment and the dangers that can result from intermittent dosage schedules (AU)

Preliminary observations on management of diabetes with stabinol

The antidiabetic effect of stabinol has been evaluated on a group of 33 patients with diabetes of the maturity onset type. Of this group three were lost to the study. Of the remaining 30 patients, 15 (50 percent) were better controlled with the oral agent than they had previously been on insulin therapy, 9 (30 percent) were controlled equally well on either regimen, and 6 (20 percent) were not as well controlled on oral therapy as they were on insulin therapy. Liver-function studies and blood and urine findings remained normal throughout the study. There were no side-effects or abnormal reactions. (AU)

Osteomyelitis and fibrous dysplasia of the jaw in the negro (abstract only)

During the last three years six cases of Sclerosing Osteomyelitis of the jaws came under observation. They showed clinically and rontgenologically a uniform picture of sclerotic areas in the mandible and sequester formation. The cases described in the literature and all our cases are negroes, women and fortyfive (45) years old and older. No general disease as cause could be found - sickle cell anaemia was excluded. The histo-pathological survey by John Arneaud points out similarities with Fibrous Dysplasia and the possibility of these lesions being different stages of the same process (AU)

Anaemias in Trinidad

An investigation into 891 unselected in-patients attending certain Departments of the General Hospital, Port of Spain is made. The types of anaemias found and their frequency is discussed. A surprisingly large number of megaloblastic anaemias was noted and their response to folic acid is discussed. The criteria for establishing the diagnosis and the methods of treatment are outlined. The paper serves to attract attention to the importance of megaloblastic anaemias occurring in women of the child bearing age in the region (AU)

The histopathology of experimental infection of baby mice with Mayaro virus (abstract only)

The Mayaro virus was inoculated intracerebrally into infant white mice. The mice showed sign of illness within 48 hours. A description of the illness in mice is given. Various organs of animals dying were examined. Aside from hyperaemia of the brain, there were no other constant gross findings. The liver showed an intense portal triaditis, and there was some congestion of the meninges and chromatolysis and gliosis with some vacuolation in the cerebral cortex. These brain changes were considered to be unexpectedly insignificant having in mind the striking symptoms and signs induced by the virus in the animal (AU)

A case of true hermaphroditism

A case of true hermaphroditism and its treatment are described. Although in this case the genetic sex and hormonal sex were female, the psychic sex was strongly male, and evidence is put forward to suggest that extrauterine environmental factors were responsible for this. (Summary)

Observations on hyaline membrane disease in Jamaica

In Jamaica the problem of hyaline membrane in the infant lung is a significant one and in our small series the condition accounted for approximately 1 in 5 of the neonatal deaths occuring in the first 48 hours of birth. No other cause of death could be demonstrated in these cases. The theories as to the nature of the condition have been discussed. (AU)

The scope and limitations of chromosomal sex determinations

Sex chromatin studies have provided us with a useful technique for further investigation of some of the theories of cell growth, tumor derivation and anomalies in a few clinical syndromes. On the cytological side, what is needed most, is establishment of a direct transition between XX chromosomes in the meta phase and the sex chromatin of the intermiotic nucleus. In the clinical application of sex chromatin determinations to a study of errors of sex development it is clear that equal, if not greater consideration should be given to psychological, social and environmental factors. This becomes more important the older the patient under investigation. (AU)

A preliminary survey of the distribution of A B O and Rh blood groups in Trinidad, B.W.I

Data on A B O AND Rh group distribution in a small community is presented. The figures show significant differences from those for the American negro. An attempt is made to explain this by the large minority of East Indians among the population. (AU)

A preliminary survey of the distribution of A B O and Rh blood groups in Trinidad, B. W. I.

Data on A B O and Rh group distribution in a small community are presented; the figures show significant differences from those for the Americam negro. An attempt is made to explain this by the large minority of East Indians among the population (Summary)

Rhesus factor distribution in the Caribbean: preliminary communication

A preliminary survey of the distribution of Rhesus factors in Jamaica is recorded and comparisons are made with data from some of the other Caribbean territories. The Rhesus negative chromosome (cde) is not found in the Amerindian; it is rare among Asiatics; it is present in Africans at about half the European frequency. In the Caribbean region, these preliminary enquiries have shown that the scatter of the Rhesus negative chromosome is about that to be expected from the known trends of population miscegenation. It is hoped that the publication of these figures will stimulate a more detailed investigation in the various territories of the West Indies